Detroit Pistons: This player looks lost in new role to start season

The Detroit Pistons are a case study in how losing one player can have a domino effect on a team.

Without Cade Cunningham in the starting lineup, players have had to be shifted around and take on roles that they will not have once the team is at full strength.

In the first two games the Detroit Pistons starting backcourt has been abysmal. After struggling in the first game against the Bulls, Frank Jackson and Killian Hayes scored a combined seven points in the rematch. Ouch.

I expected Killian Hayes to struggle to start the season, as he is still more or less a rookie trying to learn point guard, so I am not going to panic.

But Frank Jackson has also looked lost, which is partially the result of the role he’s had to assume with Cade Cunningham out.

Detroit Pistons: Frank Jackson is not a starter

Frank Jackson had a mini-breakout last season, shooting 40 percent from long range and being a offensive catalyst off the Pistons’ bench.

This is a role he was tailor made for, as he can score in bunches and likes to push the pace in transition, but as a starter he has struggled.

Jackson is the 4th option in the starting lineup, and has mostly been standing around in the corner, which is not the strength of his game. When he came off the bench last season, Jackson was mostly given a green light to run the offense and shoot at will, which is something he can’t do when playing with the starters.

Theoretically, I get it, as his shooting should help create more space for Killian Hayes, but in practice, it hasn’t because Jackson has barely touched the ball.

Jackson has shot just 27 percent from the field in the two games this season, almost as bad as Killian Hayes, who at least has the excuse of being a pass-first point guard.

I’d like to see Jackson moved back to the bench so that he can run the offense a bit more when he’s in there and let it fly as one of the first two offensive options.

The Pistons have yet to score 90 points in a game, so it’s not like Frank Jackson in the starting lineup has worked, so it may be time to lean into defense and put Diallo or Josh Jackson with the starting five and let Frank run the bench unit.

Having Cade Cunningham out has had a ripple effect on the whole team, so let’s hope they can stay afloat for a few more games until he comes back and players can  return to familiar roles.