Detroit Pistons: Early injuries, big trades and Troy Weaver’s job

The Detroit Pistons have paid a lot of lip service to the idea that this will finally be the season that they turn things around.

That challenge got a little tougher when it was announced that Bojan Bogdanovic and Monte Morris would be out for at least four and three weeks, respectively.

This continues the annual tradition of the franchise downplaying an injury only to reveal that the player would be out for a much longer time than originally disclosed. This is not a way to win over fans, who rightfully wonder why the team can’t be more transparent about injuries.

So what were initially called “minor” injuries weren’t and the Pistons will once again start the season shorthanded, another annual tradition they can’t seem to end.

This will not only threaten the start of the season but could seriously disrupt the Pistons’ plans and potentially get their GM fired.

Could a slow start for the Detroit Pistons lead to more tanking?

God I hope not.

I think I can speak for the entire fanbase here when I say that no one wants to see the Detroit Pistons tank again this season. There isn’t a consensus prospect anyway, but even if there was, tanking has not worked for them the last two years and at some point this team needs to try to win games and change the culture around their young players.

But let’s face it, with two key veterans out for at least a month (and don’t count on that being all), Detroit could get off to a rough start with 16 games in the first month, nine of which are on the road. There are matchups against the Heat, Suns, Warriors (back-to-back), Bucks, 76ers, Cavaliers and Nuggets and it’s not like any of the other games are gimmes either.

Anything could happen, and it’s possible that Detroit’s young guys will step up and surprise us, but it’s also possible we’ll be talking about the draft in January again. But these injuries will not just affect the on-the-court product, there will be ramifications for the front office.