3 preseason problems that should concern the Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are winless in two games to start the preseason, which is not completely unexpected.

Detroit has one of the youngest teams in the NBA, is missing some key veterans and is still working out some of the kinks, which is what the preseason is for.

Dwane Casey is still trying to figure out his starting lineup and depth chart after the Bojan Bogdanovic trade and has some clear challenges, particularly how he is going to use his bigs.

I didn’t expect Detroit to click right away and so far they haven’t, but it’s far too early to panic, as preseason games don’t count and teams are often working on things that they will not try in the regular season.

But there are some reoccurring themes in these games that are somewhat concerning, unless you are one of the fans that hopes the Pistons tank in an effort to land Victor Wembanyama.

While it’s not time to push the panic button, there are some preseason issues that the Detroit Pistons are going to have to iron out.

Detroit Pistons: Turnovers are going to be an issue

The Pistons have turned the ball over 42 times in their first two preseason games, which is a problem that has to keep Dwane Casey up at night.

Preseason games are sloppy, and you’d expect more turnovers than normal given that there are bench and fringe guys playing big minutes and teams are still getting into the flow.

But when your backcourt consists of a second-year player and a rookie, this is likely going to be an issue all season and one Detroit is going to have to correct if they want to compete at all.

Turnovers not only stop your offense from even getting a shot attempt, but often lead to easy buckets going the other way, something Detroit can’t afford as a team that has yet to establish an identity defensively.

While Casey wants his young team to play fast and loose, they have to take better care of the ball, especially at the guard position.

Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Killian Hayes had 14 turnovers between them in the preseason loss to the Pelicans, and they aren’t going to win many games when that is the case. This has to be a point of emphasis for this young team, especially when it comes to the boneheaded turnovers that aren’t even a result of defensive pressure, but just guys playing lazy and throwing the ball away.

If coach Casey can’t get this under control, he’s going to be on the hot seat eventually, as turnovers are always going to come back on the coach.