Jaden Ivey’s comeback has pretty much been the worst-case scenario so far, as he is already out for at least four weeks after playing only one preseason game. There’s no way to sugarcoat it, it’s a blow to the Pistons in several ways, but they are equipped to deal with it.
This was supposed to be the season when Ivey answered all the questions still hanging over him after he missed all but 30 games last year, but he’s not off to a great start, as he had one clunky preseason game before getting hurt and requiring a procedure that will keep him out for at least a month.
Keep in mind that he’s only going to be re-evaluated in four weeks, so that doesn’t mean he’ll be back on that timeline, so the Pistons have to plan to move on without him as they did last season. They already have a short-term answer in place, but if Ivey is going to miss significant time, they may have to look outside for help.
Detroit Pistons starting lineup: Duncan Robinson is the clear short-term answer
Robinson got the start last night and is likely to be in the starting five to open the season now that it’s confirmed Ivey can’t go.
There is nothing good about Ivey’s situation, but if you want to find a silver lining, Robinson has the ideal offensive skillset to play alongside Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, and should be the beneficiary of a lot of open shots.
He’s also shown skill as a passer in the dribble hand off, and even though Ivey shot the ball well last year in a small sample size, Robinson is a known commodity that defenses fear from long range.
He’s not going to blow by people or be devastating in the fast break like Ivey, but Robinson should help the starters' spacing in the half-court.
The Pistons could be compelled to bring back Malik Beasley
The Malik Beasley talk has died down over the last few weeks, as he is still under investigation from the NBA for gambling. He did claim that he’d been cleared by the feds in a recent Instagram post, though there has been nothing reported to confirm that claim.
The Pistons had to move on, but now that Ivey is on the shelf for a few weeks, may be more compelled to revisit the idea.
Putting Robinson in the starting five leaves the Pistons a bench with no shooting, the exact thing that Beasley provided last season. He’s also familiar with the players and system so he could jump right in without a big learning process.
It’s not an option until his gambling investigation is concluded, but if Ivey is going to miss time, the Pistons may need more guard depth and Beasley would be the perfect candidate to supply it.