The Detroit Pistons made a flurry of moves already this offseason, bringing in Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren in the draft and then making a trade for Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks to add some veteran depth.
The Pistons depth chart is still very much up in the air, as there will be a number of players competing for minutes at every position, which is often the case with young teams in the early stages of a rebuild.
In fact, when you look at the potential opening night starting lineup, there are myriad possibilities and really only two guys who are absolute locks to be there.
Detroit Pistons: Opening night starting lineup spots are still up for grabs
There are only two guys who are certain to be in the Pistons starting lineup on opening night, point guard Cade Cunningham and forward Saddiq Bey.
Where Bey will be playing is still a mystery, but we know he and Cade will be there, as they have both established themselves as cornerstones of the team. Every other position will be a battle.
Shooting guard
Most likely: Jaden Ivey
Possibilities: Alec Burks, Killian Hayes
It’s most likely that rookie Jaden Ivey will be in the starting lineup on opening night, but don’t be shocked if veteran Alec Burks is there instead.
We could even see the return of Killian Hayes, as the Pistons did last season, though it seems at this point he’ll be running the bench unit.
If the Pistons try to spread their shooting around, putting Burks with Cade Cunningham makes some sense, as he is a 40 percent shooter from long range. However, a backcourt of Ivey and Hayes also lacks shooting, so it’s more likely the #5 pick will be in the starting five unless he really struggles in preseason.
Detroit Pistons: Opening night starting lineup
Power forward
Power forward is probably the biggest question mark for the Detroit Pistons, as they only have one guy (Isaiah Livers) who is really thought of as a power forward even though they have several other guys who can and have played the position.
Most likely: Marvin Bagley III
Possibilities: Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Livers, Kelly Olynyk, Isaiah Stewart
The Pistons have a lot of options here. We assume that Bey will start at small forward, but Detroit could surprise some people and go small, moving a guy like Hamidou Diallo or Livers into the starting five and allowing Bey to play at the four.
They could also go with a combination of Bey and Livers to get more shooting around Cade Cunningham. If Isaiah Stewart does not start at center, it’s possible he could be slotted into the power forward spot alongside Nerlens Noel or even rookie Jalen Duren, though that is unlikely considering his age and the number guys in front of him in the pecking order.
We’ll probably see a lot of different combinations as Dwayne Casey tries to find one that works, though my guess is that we will see both Marvin Bagley III and Isaiah Stewart in the starting lineup to start things off.
Detroit Pistons: Opening night starting lineup
The center position will also have minutes up for grabs, though third-year player Isaiah Stewart looks to be the clear frontrunner.
Most likely: Isaiah Stewart
Possibilities: Nerlens Noel, Jalen Duren, Kelly Olynyk, Marvin Bagley III
If I had to bet, I’d say Stewart is close to a lock to be the opening night starting center. He had an up and down season but really came on down the stretch, hitting over 50 percent from long range and playing tough and versatile defense.
I also think people are sleeping on Beef Stew a bit this summer and that we are going to see a big leap from him, especially now that there is a rookie gunning for his position.
Coach Casey could go with the veteran Noel to add rim protection, and there is an outside chance that Duren will impress everyone and be impossible to keep on the bench. Olynyk is a long shot and most likely to be one of the primary bench scorers and there is an outside chance that MBIII will move back to center, which some believe he should, considering he is not really a power forward and can’t shoot.
All of this competition is a good thing, as these young players are going to have to earn every minute they get and will have hungry veterans and rookies trying to take their spots.
Other than Cade and Saddiq, nothing is a given for this year’s Detroit Pistons and right now, just about every other spot is up for grabs.