With Reggie Jackson’s contract expiring, the Detroit Pistons point guard position is uncertain for the future. What are the Pistons options moving forward?
The future of the Detroit Pistons point guard position is shaky, and Reggie Jackson is at the epicenter.
The 29-year-old point guard will hit unrestricted free agency at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season and it remains to be seen whether Detroit’s front office will look to re-sign him – that is, if he’s not traded before then.
A lot will play out for the Pistons, who will face other big decisions such as whether or not to offer Andre Drummond a max contract. The on-court product could dictate whether it become a transition period or going all-in on a deep postseason run.
How should the Pistons handle Jackson’s impending free agency and fill the point guard position moving forward? Let’s discuss some possibilities.
Trade Reggie Jackson
On one hand, it is reasonable to assume that Ed Stefanski will aggressively pursue a trade involving Jackson between now and the end of the upcoming season, given his expiring deal and free agency. His expiring contract is a valuable asset that could be leveraged in a trade with a team looking to clear cap space, and Detroit will surely be able to find a suitor.
However, it is unlikely that any deal for Jackson would yield a starting-caliber point guard in return unless a handful of assets were included, meaning that trading Jackson alone would not solve Detroit’s point guard dilemma.
Perhaps, for the right price, Detroit’s front office will look to move Jackson anyways, even if they don’t receive his replacement in return. The Pistons have shored up their point guard depth, adding veteran Derrick Rose and Tim Frazier. Additionally, Bruce Brown’s emergence in the Summer League has given the franchise hope that he is also capable of sharing time at the point guard position – giving Detroit multiple options in Jackson’s absence.
However, this would only be worthwhile if Rose can remain healthy and continue the high level of play he flashed last season for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The former MVP showed flashes of his old self, averaging 18 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 48 percent from the field and a surprising 37 percent from 3-point range.
Detroit would welcome this kind of production from their starting point guard, but it is unlikely that Rose could replicate these numbers in that role. As a backup, Rose was able to serve as an effective change-of-pace guard who could carry the scoring load against favorable matchups, but would inevitably lose these touches and easier matchups as a starter. Barring a seriously impressive season from Derrick Rose, he’s not going to cut it as a starting point guard on a playoff team.
Trade for a starting point guard
If trading Jackson likely won’t yield a starting point guard in return, is there another Piston who could net a new floor general?
The obvious answer is Drummond.
The 25 year old glass-eating specialist has a player option for the 2020-21 season, given the relative weakness of the 2020 class of free agents he could seek a big payday. If this is true, then Detroit should look to move their big man before he hits free agency.
Drummond’s youth and rebounding expertise will certainly make him an attractive trade target, and at least one potential suitor is evidently clear.
Enter the Golden State Warriors.
In a surprising free agency twist, Golden State executed a sign-and-trade for 23 year old point guard D’Angelo Russell, adding him to an already-crowded backcourt on a four-year, $117,325,500 contract. Although Warriors General Manager Bob Myers has vehemently denied it, one can assume Golden State will look to trade Russell at some point during this season. What would they want in return?
One position Golden State has been unable to address over the past several years – granted, they haven’t necessarily needed to – is center. Drummond would be an upgrade, filling out a menacing frontcourt of him and Draymond Green. Combine these two with the Splash Brothers backcourt, and suddenly the Warriors look like a team that could do serious damage in the Western Conference.
Not only would Golden State address a position of need in a trade built around Drummond and Russell, but Detroit would also get its coveted point guard. The Pistons could pair the All-Star guard with Blake Griffin, making for an intriguing lineup. Additionally, Russell is young and his youth fits the timeline of the rest of the young core, giving Detroit a chance to build around him.
To be sure, this move would involve significant risk. Many are still skeptical of Russell as a top option and are wary of taking on such a large contract. However, on paper a Golden State-Detroit trade makes sense for both teams.
Although other deals will likely present themselves throughout the course of the season, this trade is one possible route Detroit could take to upgrade at point guard.
Adding through free agency
Should the Pistons find themselves unable to trade for a starting-caliber point guard, they will be forced to look to sign a free agent during the 2020 offseason. The problem with this, however, is that the 2020 free agent class is weak, especially at the point guard position.
One player who would certainly garner interest from Detroit is Kyle Lowry, who Dwane Casey coached in Toronto. Lowry, though, is 33 years old and his ability on the court is beginning to decline. In two-to-three years, Lowry may very well be past the point of being able to serve as a starting point guard, making this a risky option for Detroit.
The same holds true for Goran Dragic, 33, and Jeff Teague, 31, who wouldn’t be significant upgrades over Jackson. One of the most exciting free agent point guards is the Spurs’ Dejounte Murray, but San Antonio will likely extend him a qualifying offer and match any offer sheet as a restricted free agent.
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This leaves the Pistons with very few options in free agency. There are several solid guards who will be available, including Fred VanVleet, but none that are proven starters at this point.
While Jackson hasn’t lived up to many fans’ expectations, he could end up being the best option for Detroit.
In terms of production, Jackson has been a serviceable point guard, averaging 16.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. He has shot 42.7 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from 3-point range during his tenure as a Piston. These numbers won’t blow you away, but in comparison with other free agent point guards, they are probably as good as the Pistons can get.
More importantly, this sort of production could be retained for relatively cheap, as Jackson surely won’t command a massive contract. In fact, he may sign for a much more team-friendly deal, helping Detroit retain flexibility and cap space moving forward.
A player like Lowry would almost certainly be able to contribute more in the short term, but at 33 is most likely looking for one more big payday, which Detroit should avoid at all costs. Re-signing Reggie Jackson wouldn’t be a sexy move, but it’s one that could end up being Detroit’s best option in terms of production on the court and cost.
Detroit’s front office has a daunting task ahead of them. If they can’t find a suitable trade partner for their next point guard, Reggie Jackson could remain as Detroit’s floor general for the foreseeable future.