Pietrus is an intriguing player because of his ability to defend and shoot 3-pointers, so it's puzzling that he didn't see more playing time. Offensively, he came on like gangbusters late in the season, shooting 6-for-6 on 3s in a late-season win over Phoenix and posting two 25-point games in April. He's developed a knack for shooting the long ball coming off a curl, and although his overall percentage on 3s was only 34.4 percent, he was making them at a much higher clip down the stretch.

Pietrus also has become much less passive offensively, as seen by the increase in his Usage Rate. He went to the rim more often and substantially improved his rate of free-throw attempts as a result. He's athletic enough to do damage on the drive, but needs to improve his off-the-dribble game and drop fewer passes. Additionally, his free-throw stroke needs work.

Long-term, Pietrus' best asset may be his defense. He's long, athletic, and can defend any of the perimeter positions, which should make him the team's stopper before long. Considering his offensive improvement, he's no longer a liability at either end of the floor, so he doesn't need to progress much further to claim a starting job.

This is ESPN Insider's scouting report by John Hollinger of Pietrus



Could we get him for the 16 and sweets? Could this be part of a bigger deal with troy murphy? Murphy, Pietrus, #9, for #2 and #16 and sweets? We could probably get patrick obryant.

I like the look of
Hinrch/Duhon
Gordon/Pietrus
Noc/Deng
Murphy/Chandler/Allen
Chandler/Obryant