Power ranking the 2018-19 Detroit Pistons: Who tops the list?

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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 26: Reggie Jackson #1 of the Detroit Pistons reacts during the game against the Indiana Pacers on December 26, 2017 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

#3 Reggie Jackson

Make no mistake about it, Reggie Jackson is the third-best player on the Detroit Pistons.

At least, a healthy Jackson is the third best player on this team. Over the last two seasons, Jackson has only played in 97 games.

The question is, which Reggie Jackson will we see this year?

When healthy, he performs at a near All-Star caliber level. However, even before he was put on injured reserve last year, avid viewers of the Pistons started to notice that he was losing a step.

I am no medical expert, but my biggest concern for Jackson is that his knee is permanently diminished and he’ll never be at full strength for an entire season again.

My advice to the Pistons is this: don’t overly rely on Jackson’s play-making ability and burn him out.

I think with the play-making prowess of both Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond, Jackson can spend much of next season playing off-ball.

This would be a huge departure for him. In the past, the Pistons’ offense survived on Jackson’s athletic, impressive drives to the baskets off the pick-and-roll. I think to preserve his health, Detroit should use him in more spot-up opportunities.

Jackson has shot over 35 percent twice in his career. If he worked on that shot over the summer and can make it with consistency, he might find a way to contribute aside from his daring drives in the lane.

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