Pistons Set to Visit Hawks in Preseason Contest

Dec 23, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

One of our first few hints to the Detroit Pistons 2016 NBA Preseason schedule has been leaked via Chris Vivlamore of Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

One of our first few hints to the Detroit Pistons’ 2016 NBA preseason schedule has been leaked via Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Detroit is set to visit the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 13th, 2016. A time for the game has not yet been released, but judging from usual Hawk home tip-off times, it is likely to be around 8 p.m. EST.

Related Story: Grading the Detroit Pistons offseason

After six years of futility, the Pistons finally have some much-needed excitement from their fan base as Stan Van Gundy and the rest of the Pistons’ team look to build off their (44-38) season that included their first playoff berth in six years.

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During the preseason, we will get our first look at the new-and-improved Detroit second unit. This unit will likely include the likes of Ish Smith (signed to a three-year $18 million contract in July), Reggie Bullock, Stanley Johnson, Jon Leuer (signed four-year $41 million contract in July), and almost certainly the Pistons’ last season with Aron Baynes. Baynes will likely exercise his player option after this season as he can expect to make more money with another bump in the salary cap scheduled for next summer.

Detroit will also see a new look Atlanta Hawks team that will no longer feature two of their main cogs, Jeff Teague and Al Horford. Teague was shipped to the Indiana Pacers prior to the 2016 NBA draft and Horford left the Hawks for the Celtics via free agency this year.

Atlanta will still feature guards Dennis Schroder and Kyle Korver, along with Kent Bazemore who re-signed with the Hawks in July. The new man in the middle for Atlanta is former Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers’, and Houston Rockets’ center and former Stan Van Gundy protegé, Dwight Howard.

Next: What to do with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope?

The 2016-17 NBA schedule is likely to be released within the next three weeks, so expect some formal announcement on the Pistons official preseason schedule some time sooner.