Where the Detroit Pistons roster stands
Where the Detroit Pistons roster stands depends on whether or not Stan Van Gundy is done making moves. He’s shown to be aggressive in finding players in his short tenure through trades (Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris, Danny Granger, Reggie Bullock, Anthony Tolliver, and Ersan Ilyasova) which means he may not be done wheeling and dealing.
With that in mind, here’s what the Pistons will have to choose from as they select their final 15-man roster:
Point Guard: Reggie Jackson, Brandon Jennings, Spencer Dinwiddie, possibly John Lucas III depending on where Jennings is at in his recovery.
Shooting Guard: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jodie Meeks, Cartier Martin, Reggie Bullock, Darrun Hilliard
Small Forward: Stanley Johnson, Marcus Morris, Danny Granger
Power Forward: Ersan Ilyasova, Anthony Tolliver, Quincy Miller
Center: Andre Drummond, Aaron Baynes, Joel Anthony
Locks: Jackson, Jennings, Dinwidie, Caldwell-Pope, Meeks, Bullock, Johnson, Morris, Ilyasova, Tolliver, Drummond, Baynes, Anthony
Bubble: Granger, Miller, Martin, Hilliard
Granger–who’s guaranteed to make $2.1 million in 2015-216– stands to be waived. He’s not the same player he once was with the Pacers and couldn’t offer much for the Pistons. Consider his situation similar to Caron Butler’s a season ago, whom the Pistons traded away for Ilyasova. With the infusion of youth and talent this offseason in the form of Johnson and Morris at small forward, why would the Pistons feel the need to retain him?
The Pistons may look to have moved laterally this offseason at shooting guard, but a closer looks shows that’s not the case. They added Hilliard who may or may not be on Martin’s level yet, but is younger and therefor has a better chance to offer more to the Pistons long-term. That makes Martin–who opted-in this offseason–expendable. Stan Van Gundy said he thought Hilliard was one of the 25 best prospects in the 2015 draft. That tells me that he hopes he can be the Pistons backup shooting guard in the future.
The fact that Van Gundy offered Martin a two-year deal with a player option speaks volumes about where the roster was last season and their inability to draw talent in free agency. Some could probably make the same argument this offseason with the contract Aaron Baynes received from the Pistons— but the contract wasn’t as bad as it appears considering the salary cap rise over the next three seasons. Emphasis on “as bad“.
Miller’s situation will be one to monitor. He impressed coaches and players with his work-ethic this offseason adding 16 pounds, but didn’t have a chance to showcase his hard work at the Orlando Summer League do to an injury.
Detroit views Miller as more of a small forward, but his 6’10” frame and shooting ability could entice Van Gundy enough to keep him around as a stretch four if he can prove he can hold his own against bigger players.
By sending players to the D-League or simply registering them as inactive, Lucas III could certainly make the roster, but again, that all factors on where Jennings is on his recovery.
We’ll see how close this group of players is to the final 15-man roster to start the season. Van Gundy has shown he’s aggressive in turning over the roster through trade and he may not be done.
Next: Detroit Pistons Game Review: Stanley Johnson goes for 20 and 10 against Pacers