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Can veteran Jose Calderon find a new role with Detroit Pistons?

By Travis Gibbs

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 24: Jose Calderon #81 of the Detroit Pistons poses for a portrait during Media Day at Little Caesars Arena on September 24, 2018 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 24: Jose Calderon #81 of the Detroit Pistons poses for a portrait during Media Day at Little Caesars Arena on September 24, 2018 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Jose Calderon joins a crowded Detroit Pistons point guard group. There is still a role for the well-traveled veteran on this team this season.

Jose Calderon was brought back to the Detroit Pistons during the summer. The seasoned veteran has been all over the place during his time in the NBA.

He’s played for seven different franchises. This is his second tour of duty in Detroit. He will have much less of a role this time around.

Last time he was with the Pistons, Calderon was playing 31 minutes a night while averaging 11 points and six assists per game.

He’s currently the third point guard on the Pistons’ depth chart behind Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith. Calderon is essentially on their roster for insurance purposes.

Calderon might even be considered fourth at that spot because of how the coaching staff has been trying to groom Bruce Brown into a point guard.

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There is a role there for him, though.

Calderon will see less than ten minutes a games this season if Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith both stay healthy. Those minutes will be valuable to head coach Dwane Casey on nights that the team is playing back-to-back games.

Calderon is perfect for that role. He’s a guy with starting experience and has a knack for shooting the basketball. Calderon is also a veteran voice for a locker room that I feel has lacked guidance and leadership times in the past couple of seasons.

Considering Jackson’s health history over the last two years, it’s even more important to have a guy like Calderon on the roster.

It sounds crazy saying a 37-year-old veteran is perfect for a starting role when/if the starter goes down. Calderon started in 32 games last season for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He also shot 46 percent from three-point range. This fits Casey’s idea of shooting more outside shots.

I’m not saying it’s a great option but it can’t be worse than what happened last season. The Pistons went 12-25 without Jackson as a starting point guard.

That’s not a stab at Ish Smith. He’s just a much better point guard coming off the bench and it’s been proven in the past.

Jose Calderon has a small role with the Detroit Pistons but it’s still an important one.

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