Pistons could turn to emergency reinforcements

Depending on the severity of the injuries to Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland II, the Detroit Pistons could call up some emergency reinforcements from the G-League or even from free agency. 

The former is far more likely, as the Pistons have turned to Tolu Smith a few times this season when they needed emergency depth, and we could see him called up again. 

The obvious hope is that Thompson’s sprained ankle isn’t too bad, as him having to miss significant time would be a disaster for the Pistons. 

There are a handful of NBA free agents looking for work. It’s unlikely the Pistons would go this route, but there are some interesting names that come with a big caveat. 

Detroit Pistons in the garbage heap of free agency 

Like I said, the Pistons would likely turn to their internal depth rather than reach for a free agent at this point in the season, but there are names like Lonzo Ball, Cole Anthony (can you imagine?) or Eric Gordon as far as names fans would know. 

Ball looks washed, Anthony is hated in Detroit and Gordon is probably schooling someone on a playground right now and calling them "youngblood."

Former Piston Stanley Umude has bounced around and is currently available if the Pistons wanted a stop-gap wing on a 10-day contract. 

Free agency is only for the regular season 

There aren’t any game changers out there, and even if the Pistons picked up a free agent that played well, he wouldn’t be eligible for the playoffs, as they are past the March 1st cutoff. 

That wouldn’t stop the Pistons from picking up someone on a short-term deal, but any dream of some late addition who could be a playoff spark isn’t going to happen. 

The Pistons have young options who can step up 

Now would be a great time for someone like Chaz Lanier or Bobi Klintman to step up and provide a spark to the Pistons, especially if they are going to be without their two wings for any amount of time. 

Lanier is a guy who could deserve a shot, as he’s shot 40 percent from long range in the G-League and the Pistons could certainly use an injection of 3-point shooting with the entire team slumping at the same time. 

Brice Williams has also shot the ball well in 19 G-League games, hitting 43.5 percent of his 3-point shots on 5.7 attempts per game. 

If the Pistons wanted more defense, they could call up Isaac Jones, who at least had some NBA experience with the Kings last season. 

It’s not time to panic yet, but if either of these injuries are serious, there will be a ripple effect that may require another body or two at the end of the bench.