If Detroit Pistons retain SVG, will Jackson return?

The Detroit Pistons may or may not be under the direction of Stan Van Gundy next season, with his long-term status very much in the air. However, if Van Gundy does return, will he hitch his wagon to Reggie Jackson one more time?

The Detroit Pistons may or may not bring back Stan Van Gundy next season.

Even if he does return, there’s a chance it may be in a smaller capacity, perhaps either as Head Coach or as President of Basketball Operations, instead of both.

So let’s say that Pistons’ owner Tom Gores decides he wants to let Van Gundy ride out his contract in a last ditched effort to make the team competitive.

What would Van Gundy do with that opportunity? Would he act in a methodical frenzy to do everything he can to “win now”, perhaps by parting with remaining first round picks or trading young assets with potential for proven?

Would he cut bait with players that have fallen short of expectations?

Perhaps, Van Gundy maintains status quo.

It’s really anyone’s guess as to what he would do.

But one thought crept up in my mind as I began to think of the possibilities for next season.

If Stan Van Gundy returns to the Pistons next season, will he continue hitch his wagon to Reggie Jackson?

You may be thinking to yourself, what options does Van Gundy have? Of course he would!

If that’s you, there are some good points you are probably making. Reggie Jackson has two years left on his deal after this season. His contract, therefore, would not be as attractive next season as it would the season after, where a team could clear cap space.

I agree with you on that. I’ll also add that you made really strong points about how his inconsistent play and injury history over the past few seasons have made him a giant question mark.

However, I would also tell you that where there is a will, there is a way. If Van Gundy does not want to risk another season with Reggie Jackson at the helm, in what is perhaps Van Gundy’s last season, he will find a way to ship Jackson out.

Remember. Jackson, when healthy, is a borderline all-star player who is still only 27 years old. A healthy Jackson with two seasons left on a contract is still enticing, particularly if there is another valuable asset attached to Jackson.

If Van Gundy so wished, I am confident he could move on from Jackson, even for a similarly talented player, perhaps with less of an injury risk.

The question, therefore, is would  Van Gundy hitch his wagon to Jackson for one more try, rather than can he unhitch his wagon.

I really don’t know know. We can only provide mere speculation at this point. I think some part of Van Gundy wants to prove his was right about Jackson and that the nucleus of players he has assembled can win.

I also think part of Van Gundy doesn’t want to risk his season on the health of a rarely available Jackson.

It remains to be seen what Van Gundy does, which will probably be predicated on some degree as to what options are out there at point guard this offseason.

My gut feeling is that Jackson’s chances of being on the team to start the season are greater than the chances of him being elsewhere, but again, that’s my gut feeling.

Next: Detroit Pistons: Gores Non-committal on Stan Van Gundy

What do you think?