The Detroit Pistons added talent at the trade deadline for the first time in recent memory by trading for Dennis Schroder as part of the massive Jimmy Butler deal.
Detroit was able to add a couple of second-round picks along with Schroder and wing Lindy Waters III without giving anything up, which made for an effective first trade deadline for Trajan Langdon.
The Pistons plugged some holes, added depth and most importantly, didn’t give up any assets, alter their future plans or the timeline Langdon set when he added veterans whose contracts don’t extend past next season.
This sets the Pistons up for a big summer where they will likely try to add an impact talent next to Cade Cunningham.
But adding two more players will certainly disrupt the Pistons rotation and one guy in particular will feel the brunt of it.
Detroit Pistons depth chart and rotation: Where does this leave Marcus Sasser?
JB Bickerstaff has mostly stuck with the same starting lineup, adjusting for Jaden Ivey’s injury by inserting Ausar Thompson in his place.
I don’t see Schroder changing that, as Bickerstaff is clearly comfortable with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Thompson on the wings with Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren.
Schroder has also been comfortable and effective off the bench for much of his career, so it’s a role he knows well.
If Schroder is the primary backup point guard, who will also play some minutes with Cunningham, then someone is likely headed to the bench and that player is Marcus Sasser.
Sasser will be pushed into a fourth guard role, as it’s not likely he and Schroder can share the floor at the same time given their size limitations and inability to defend multiple positions.
Coach Bickerstaff has rarely gone beyond a 10-man rotation, which he would have to in order to accommodate Sasser, as Isaiah Stewart, Malik Beasley, Ron Holland II and Simone Fontecchio are likely to stay in the same roles they’ve had all season.
Schroder provides something that Sasser doesn’t, which is the ability to create with the ball and set up teammates.
It still hasn’t been announced if Schroder is making his debut tonight against Philly, but the Pistons may need him to, as Cunningham is listed as questionable with a sprained ankle.
So, we may see both Schroder and Sasser tonight, but once the Pistons are at full strength, Sasser is likely to hit the bench only to be used sparingly in emergency situations.