The Detroit Pistons’ early free agency period has probably been more active than the team was hoping.
After expressing an interest in laying low and adding on the fringes of their roster, the Pistons lost out trying to return two key free agent guards and Malik Beasley’s future with the organization remains a huge question mark.
Instead, the Pistons went out and grabbed a pair of versatile veterans in Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson, as well as re-signing big man Paul Reed.
While much of the Pistons roster is remaining the same, there are going to be a lot of questions surrounding the guard rotation outside returning superstar Cade Cunningham.
There’s also the very real possibility the Pistons aren’t done adding key pieces.
Deals with LeVert, Robinson and Reed need to be finalized, but the Pistons are looking at having some flexibility with access to the $8.8 million room exception, in line with the business they’ve done so far, or trying to maneuver a sign-and-trade for departing guard Dennis Schröder that could give them access to a $14 million traded player exception.
While we wait for that to clear up or the Pistons to try and fill in more of their roster, here’s an early projection at how rotations might look for the 13 players we’re pretty certain the Pistons will have.
Point Guard
Cade Cunningham
Marcus Sasser
Caris LeVert
We know who the undoubted No. 1 is at this position. With the Pistons’ push to get better through internal development, expect third-year guard Marcus Sasser to get some of those second-team reps. We’ll see how coach J.B. Bickerstaff wants to use LeVert, but he’s going to offer versatility and has solid ball-handling skills that may lend itself to being part of this rotation.
Shooting Guard
Jaden Ivey
Caris LeVert
Duncan Robinson
Chaz Lanier
There’s certainly the possibility the Pistons want to drop Jaden Ivey into a bench role coming off a major injury, however he did start all 30 games he played last season. LeVert and Robinson are both very flexible and experienced players who will get plenty of minutes at shooting guard and elsewhere. The Pistons’ lone draft pick, Chaz Lanier, will likely be toward the end of the bench to start the year, but the team will want to see how his skills translate to the NBA early on.
Small Forward
Ausar Thompson
Duncan Robinson
Ron Holland II
Caris LeVert
Ausar Thompson earned himself the title of starting small forward last season, doing so without even having a full offseason to develop. It seems like the Pistons expect a lot out of his junior season in the NBA. Robinson and LeVert will likely see minutes off the bench here, the big question remains Detroit’s 2024 first-round pick Ron Holland II and where they want to spread his minutes.
Power Forward
Tobias Harris
Ron Holland II
Bobi Klintman
Tobias Harris will continue to provide the veteran leadership in the starting five going into his final season under contract with the Pistons. Behind him should be two of the roster’s biggest projects in Holland and 2024 second-round pick Bobi Klintman. The pair are going to feature during NBA Summer League and should be used more in the rotation this year if they make the jump the organization is expecting.
Center
Jalen Duren
Isaiah Stewart
Paul Reed
Barring more business, the center rotation should look pretty much the same as last season with Jalen Duren leading the way going into a contract year. Isaiah Stewart is expected back after missing most of the Pistons’ playoff run due to injury and Reed was brought back to add some depth to the room.
Two-way players
G/F Ron Harper Jr.
F Tolu Smith
The Pistons have also tendered a two-way qualifying offer to restricted free agent Daniss Jenkins, potentially meaning the organization will return all three of their two-way players from the end of last season.
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