Kevin Huerter says decision-making is his biggest strength

Mar 28, 2026 12:23 PM

After a quiet start to his Pistons tenure following a trade deadline move from Chicago, Kevin Huerter has recently begun to demonstrate why the team valued him, as Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press writes.

In Thursday’s contest, Huerter made his first start for Detroit with Duncan Robinson sidelined due to right hip soreness, and he took advantage of the opportunity.

He recorded 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting, along with three rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 34 minutes – by far his most playing time with the team, topping his previous high of 26 minutes.

“Kev’s nice, man,” Jalen Duren said. “Just playing against him over the last few years, I’d seen him as just a shooter. Him being here these last couple of weeks, I see he has a lot more to his game.

“He’s a guy who can, if you run him off the line he can get in the paint, make plays, finish. He’s meshed really well with the guys. Just in the locker room, as a teammate, he’s been really cool. I’m excited, man. I’m excited for what he can bring to the team and continue to grow with him.”

Although it took some time for Huerter to find his footing in Detroit, and his playoff role is still unclear, he’s starting to make a compelling case for a regular spot in the rotation.

Sankofa points to his decision-making as one of his standout traits.

“That’s my biggest strength,” Huerter said. “Playing offensively, ball moves side to side, I’m able to play off of closeouts and get downhill, find guys and then we have Cade (Cunningham) who’s been out a couple of games.

“There’s been more of an emphasis on playing side to side and guys using the rotations of defenses to help create things. JD’s held it down every game inside. Everybody else seems to be pitching in where they can to fill the gaps.”