The Pistons are suddenly very deep at point guard, as Keith Langlois of the team’s website notes. Their lack of depth at that spot was exposed in recent seasons by injuries to Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith.
Though Smith signed with the Wizards this offseason, the Pistons have plenty of options beyond Jackson during the upcoming season. They signed free agents Derrick Rose and Tim Frazier and drafted Jordan Bone, who was signed to a two-way contract, in the second round. Bruce Brown and Langston Galloway can also run the offense.
It’s the best combination of players they’ve had at that spot since Chauncey Billups was a perennial All-Star and Lindsey Hunter backed him up, Langlois opines.
We have more from the Central Division:
- Jackson seriously considered retirement due to knee and ankle injuries prior to last season, when he played in every game, Rod Beard of the Detroit News reports. “I was just getting injured too much and I had hit basketball depression and it was a point in time that I really didn’t want to deal with the game anymore,” Jackson told Beard. “It was more the injuries that started to have that (retirement) thought creep in my head.” Arnie Kander, the team’s former strength and conditioning coach who was hired as a consultant prior to last season, devised a plan that helped Jackson overcome his issues.
- Jackson has no doubt that he can mesh his skills with Rose when they play together, Beard writes in the same story. “I’ll have more of a chance to play with Derrick on the ball and off. I’m better at catch-and-shoot,” Jackson said. “The layout of the team is complementary to each other. All the pieces work really well and it’s ideal for my game, how we mesh.”
- The additions of Frazier and power forward Markieff Morris give coach Dwane Casey a greater opportunity to rest Blake Griffin and Rose, Langlois writes in a separate story. Griffin only sat out three games for rest purposes last season as the Pistons relied heavily on the All-Star to make the playoffs. But with 13 back-to-backs this year, the Pistons will likely limit both Griffin and the oft-injured Rose to fewer than 70 games apiece, Langlois adds.
That would be interesting if Jackson did retire but I couldn’t see it happening this summer
Nowadays they call it “pulling an Andrew Luck”.
Definitely not until he finishes up his current contract
The pistons have pretty decent team with good depth but I think they they make 1 or 2 smart moves they become a playoff lock. I think Kennard is not ready to start at SG but you need someone to space the floor. At SF, Tony Snell is really average but can do the job.
Maybe you offer Langston Galloway and a second rounder for Jae Crowder. Memphis obviously aren’t trying to win heaps of games and don’t need him and would take an expiring deal and a pick for him.
Then I’d swap Tony Snell for either Courtney Lee or Dion Waiters. Lee is better on D and usually has a more consistent 3 but Dion is a higher volume and more versatile scorer and is younger.
1. Jackson. Rose. Frazier
2. Waiters/Lee. Kennard. Brown
3. Crowder. Douyoumba. Mylk
4. Griffin. Morris. Beasley
5. Drummond. Pachulia. Maker
All of a sudden Crowder gives this team more size makes them better on both ends of the court. He also would be good in small ball line ups with Griffin at the 5, Crowder at the 4 which gives the team more shooting. Waiters/Lee gives the team an upgrade at SG and better shooting over Snell who is more of a jack of all trades master of none player. That teams makes the playoffs
They’re already a playoff lock in the eastern conference. All it takes is 35 wins these days, which is no problem.
Nice suggestion on Crowder. Very low risk high reward. They also may be able to swing Gallinari. But if they bring in crowder I like snell at the starting 2gaurd.
I also dont see why you think Kennard is not ready. He was their best player in the Bucks playoff series.
I don’t think the pistons are a lock just yet no doubt they are in contention but I wouldn’t go as far as a lock yet. Crowder makes so much sense because of his versatility and ability on both ends on the court, for a lot of teams. I just suggested the Pistons should because I like the fit along side Griffin. Not the biggest fan on Snell he’s just a really average/below average player who’s on a two year deal who isn’t great at anything in particular. Lee at least is a solid d and is a threat shooting a 3, Waiters can score and be crafty.
As for Kennard, I think he better suited to playing off the bench similar to a early JJ Reddick role. I just think Jackson and Griffin are to ball dominate and that won’t benefit Kennard. He would be good off the bench in small ball line ups where the whole team plays faster and he gets the ball more and if he’s free shoot it
I like the Crowder move not so much Waiters and you listed Pauculia as an option, did you forget about Woods? Pistons have to move away from players like Waiters too inconsistent and hurt.i feel as though they quietly reinforced the weak spots and improved a 44 win team remember they had 7 games with big leads they
lost in the last five minutes not counting the games Griffith missed at the end.im excited to see what this team can do
Anyone saying the Pistons have PG depth clearly doesn’t watch basketball.
Reggie Jackson and Derrick Rose don’t give them PG depth with Tim Frazier as a serviceable #3 guy behind them?
^^The OP is an example of problems created by using formula fill-in-the-blank phraseology.
But probably wrong anyway.
Pistons counting on REGGIE JACKSON to be Mr. October !!
Im dissapointed that analysis and Vegas have the Pistons at 37.5 games dont get it! Pistons have improved more than any team in the east most teams lost valuable pieces that weren’t replaced like Boston Nj Indy Toronto and Philly. Orlando and Milwaukee didnt loss big pieces, Brogdon is 50/50 they won without him. Detroit barring injury should be a strong 4/5 seed who has gotten better to the point of making them worse. I didnt bring up Miami because i dont see the pieces.