Three Detroit Pistons who could see increased roles in 2019-20

Tim Frazier

The Pistons signed Tim Frazier to a one-year contract this past off season, with the hopes that he can fill a role that’s long plagued their depth: a competent third-option point guard.

Although Frazier only averages 5.2 points and 4.1 assists over his career, he has shown flashes that he’s capable of being a more-than-competent role player. This includes averages of 13.1 points and 7.5 assists across a 16 game span with New Orleans in 2016, a career high in points (29) in April of this year, and a 15 assist outing in an overtime game in March.

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Throughout the preseason, Frazier proved he’s more competent than his third-option point guard predecessors in Jose Calderon and Dwight Buycks. Because of this, I expect Casey will be able to trust Frazier more than he was able to trust Calderon last season.

This will be crucial with two injury prone point guards ahead of Frazier on the roster, but it will also allow Casey not to only rely on Frazier if or when Jackson or Rose are injured. Instead, Casey will have the freedom to load manage his first two point guards knowing Frazier will produce.

In fact, this is exactly what Frazier proved in the 116-110 win against the Hornets. With both Jackson and Rose out, Frazier took over the starting point guard duties, and surprised with a 15 point, 12 assist double-double.

Look for Frazier to take on more responsibilities than Calderon was tasked with last year.