Peyton Siva

Peyton Siva - Siva has a contract for next year, but his spot is far from secure. He was the third point guard in the Pistons's rotation at that position, but despite Brandon Jennings's continued proving of the fact that he is not a lead guard, and Will Bynum's continued limited play (a score first player without three point range who turns it over too often ans is a very weak defensive player), Siva was still the last resort option and still worse. Siva struggled badly on the offensive end, committing many passing turnovers and unable to consistently finish any shot from any area. He did have some good outings in April once the season was effectively over, but that's small redemption for what was in total a wasted yet. He is here, then, with something simple yet important to prove - is he NBA calibre?

Detroit - Josh Harrellson and Peyton Siva: Harrellson is limiting himself as a player to being a stretch five, but at least he is efficient doing it (50% FG, 39% three pointers), so he may stick. Meanwhile, Siva has struggled badly in limited time, and is not a 19 year old prospect any more. With shrinking upside and no use on the court in the present, his place is very much in jeopardy.

Peyton Siva

Siva's athleticism, ability and willingness to get to the basket intrigue, particularly the athleticism, which few other point guards can rival. His aggressiveness can give way to recklessness, with some turnovers and forced shots, but you can live with that. The athleticism is most effective defensively, where, when tuned in, Siva can be a genuine disruptive influence. He's a poor shooter, not a controlled floor general (he passes first, but doesn't necessarily control the tempo), and is prone to force things. But he makes things happen. And he's fast. And he's fun. Summer league lends itself well to these traits.

[...] In the backcourt, Preston Knowles (now a senior, and the only one on the team) is the leading scorer at 14.8 points per game. It is, of course, mostly done via the three pointer, because that is what Preston Knowles does. He has not developed into much of a ball handler - he just sticks to what he knows. Threes, getting open for threes, and defense. Sophomore Peyton Siva plays the point, and despite his age, he's already better than Edgar Sosa ever was. He is very athletic, has plenty of flair, good ball handling skills, relentless defensive pressure, the ability to get to the basket, the touch to finish when he gets there, decent court vision, and a willingness to share it. Louisville are third in the nation in assists, and Siva, with his 5.3 per game, is a large part of why. If he can now learn to shoot and maybe grow five inches, that's even better.