Reggie Jackson’s health is going to be key for Detroit Pistons success in 2019-20. Here is Jackson’s preview profile for the upcoming season.
Detroit Pistons fans – in the Motor City and beyond – have been patient this offseason as most other teams pulled off blockbuster moves. Whether it is the Kawhi Leonard and Paul George pairing up with the Clippers or the Chris Paul–Russell Westbrook trade, the Pistons fanbase has been reading between the lines and looking at the glass half full.
Fortunately, the season is nearing and Piston Powered is here to provide season previews for the upcoming season throughout the month of August and into September. Our staff will be featuring a new player each weekday and expanding our coverage once each player is covered.
Reggie Jackson is the first player to preview for the 2019-20 season.
On Feb. 19th, 2015, Jackson was traded to the Detroit Pistons as part of a three-team trade. Shortly after, Jackson became a restricted free agent, which is when the former general manager and head coach, Stan Van Gundy, signed him to a five-year, $80 million contract.
Jackson proceeded to have one of his best seasons in the 2015-16 season as he averaged 18.8 points per game and scored a career-high 40 points in a win against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Pistons seemed to be on an upward trajectory as Jackson and Andre Drummond led the team to its first playoff appearance since the 2009 season. Detroit got swept in the first round by the 2016 champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers. This, however, was viewed as a good experience for a growing team that would continue to improve.
Sadly, the Pistons stumbled even more as they missed the playoffs the two following years. In those two seasons, Jackson played 97 out of 164 total games. This started the conversation that Jackson had already peaked, as he could not have a full healthy season anymore due to knee and ankle injuries.
In the 2017-18 season, the Pistons were stuck in their same old pattern. They started the season extremely well only to fall in a slump come January due to injuries and lack of experience. Detroit’s struggles led to Van Gundy feeling a lot of pressure from Tom Gores to make a big move to possibly save his job. In January 2018, Van Gundy traded a package centered around Tobias Harris and a lottery pick in exchange for Blake Griffin.