Daniss Jenkins has been a revelation for the Detroit Pistons in the last two weeks. Some even thought that he emerged out of nowhere.
The 2024 undrafted player earned his way into the starting line up starting on November 10 and he has been steady since. He was DNPd in the first few games but when he was given the chance, he made sure to give back.
He is currently averaging 21 points per game in the last four games, which also comes with around 7 assists. He made his first ever start on Tuesday and he helped the team get their 11th straight victory by scoring 14 points on 6/10 shooting.
Head coach JB Bickerstaff is all praises for the 24-year-old PG who last year played just seven games for them.
“He’s got an unwavering belief in his abilities. You sit and talk to him — you can feel his presence as soon as he walks into the room — and it’s not phony,” Bickerstaff said a few days ago.
“He is genuinely confident, but humble at the same time and he’s extremely talented. We’ve said it: ‘We’re lucky to have him here in the position that he’s in.’ He’s an NBA player – I think the league knows that, but we’re lucky to have him here with us.”
Jenkins is providing a consistent support to Cade Cunningham who is emerging as among the most exciting players to watch for these days.
Daniss Jenkins and Jaden Ivey
Jenkins just earned his starting spot but with the pending return or Jaden Ivey, the team’s 5th overall pick in 2022, some thought there might a log jam in the guard spot.
Detroit Jock City’s Cem Yolbulan thought the position is for Ivey to fight for with the way his new teammate is playing. This might also have to do with the new contract he is seeking.
The Pistons couldn’t agree to an extension with Ivey before the season, and the 23-year-old guard will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. He hasn’t played in an NBA regular-season game since January 1, 2025, and remains sidelined after undergoing arthroscopic surgery in the offseason.
Brady Fredericksen of SB Nation, meanwhile, thought it is a good problem to have for Bicketstaff.
Ivey and Jenkins are different players. Jenkins is more point than shooting guard. He’s not a pure point guard, but he runs the offense and can score when he has the opportunity. I think he fits perfectly off the bench and should fill a role similar to what Dennis Schroder occupied last season.
There is no specific date yet for Ivey’s return but Bickerstaff said he has been assigned to their G-League team for conditioning. He played 30 games last season and averaged a career high 17.6 points per game.
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