Heading into the trade deadline, the Detroit Pistons had two areas of weakness on their roster.
The first was backup point guard, as they didn’t really have one. Marcus Sasser is more of a shoot-first guard and it was showing in the 2nd-unit offense, which often struggled to score in the half court.
The Pistons addressed the need by trading for Dennis Schroder, who has solidified that group, which has seen a +14 improvement since he joined the team. Schroder has had modest numbers himself, but having another solid ballhandler who can break down a defense has been a big plus for the Pistons.
The second need was depth at the power forward position, which the Pistons did not address. The Pistons play Simone Fontecchio behind Tobias Harris and Tek really isn’t a four. He’s undersized for the position and his shooting numbers have not made up for it, though he’s shown a little spark of late.
That depth will be tested tonight against the Utah Jazz.
Detroit Pistons injuries: Tobias Harris
Tobias Harris has been ruled out of tonight’s game for personal reasons, and whatever time he needs, he deserves, as Harris has been the consummate pro’s pro for Detroit this year, a guy you can pencil into the lineup nearly every night and know what to expect.
The Utah Jazz have big wings in Lauri Markkanen and John Collins, who both missed last night’s game against New Orleans with dubious tank injuries, so may be back tonight.
If so, the Detroit Pistons will have a challenge and some tough decisions to make about the rotation.
Detroit Pistons starting lineup: Who fills in for Tobias Harris?
The Pistons could just move Fontecchio into Harris’ spot, which would keep shooting in the starting five, though it will be a challenging defensive assignment for Tek if Utah plays all of their guys.
Detroit could use Isaiah Stewart at the four, though he has thrived in his current backup center spot and moving him would make the Pistons thin there instead.
We could see Ron Holland II get the nod, though that puts two non-shooters in the starting five, and I’m not sure he and Ausar Thompson are ready for that yet.
That leaves potentially starting Malik Beasley and moving Tim Hardaway Jr. to the three and Ausar Thompson to the four, which would maximize shooting in the starting five but take guys out of their roles and leave the bench short a shooter.
It will be interesting to see how coach JB Bickerstaff handles this issue, and it may come down to who the Jazz have suited up tonight.
It also shows one area the Pistons will need to focus on next offseason, as they will have the same issue unless they can add more size and depth at the four.