The Detroit Pistons will be missing a trio of rotation players, including two starters, with games against their key rivals looming.
Jalen Duren will miss at least a week with a sprained ankle, which is certainly the biggest blow, as the Pistons have been over seven points better this season when he’s on the court.
Tobias Harris will be re-evaluated after two weeks, another big loss, as the Pistons don’t have another power forward, especially with Isaiah Stewart forced into the starting center role. Harris will likely miss significant time here, so this may force the Pistons’ hand when it comes to making a trade.
Caris LeVert also won’t be making the trip to Cleveland as he tries to return from knee inflammation. Most Pistons fans aren’t going to worry too much about LeVert, but he is a rotation player, which means someone else is going to have to step up.
This will be a season-defining moment for the Pistons, who are facing back-to-back games (with travel, well done, NBA!) against the Cavaliers and Knicks, two teams hoping to chase them down in the Eastern Conference standings.
Instead of hanging their heads, the Pistons will embrace the next man up and certain players will have a chance to carve out bigger roles for themselves going forward.
Isaiah Stewart and Paul Reed will have their hands full
Beef Stew is already part of the foundation of this team as its best interior defender, and the Pistons won’t lose too much with him in the starting five as long as he can keep from fouling out or getting ejected.
Paul Reed has stepped up time and time again when called upon, so I have no doubt BBall Paul will give the Pistons some quality minutes, and they are going to need them, particularly against Cleveland, who often runs with two bigs.
Reed has shown he’s one of the best third centers in the league, but this is another opportunity to show that he can be more than that. Reed’s contract for next season is only partially guaranteed, so this is his chance to show that he is worth every penny and may deserve a long-term deal as one of the league’s most reliable backups.
Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser have to step up
Having LeVert out helps to clear some of the logjam that has happened since Marcus Sasser returned, which has already knocked Daniss Jenkins out of the rotation.
LeVert out means more minutes for these two and it’s a real chance for both of them.
Ivey is trying to show he’s the same guy who looked electric before his injury last season. He’s still struggling to find his niche in the rotation, but having three guys out should give him an opportunity for more consistent minutes.
This has been frustrating for Ivey and the fans, who want to see him get back to form. Hopefully, he’ll use this stretch to solidify himself in the rotation, as Ivey could be the guy on the trading block in February, so this is practically an audition for the Pistons or his next team.
This is also a huge chance for Marcus Sasser, who has been great in the last two games, and looked like the Pistons’ best backup guard in the process.
Detroit desperately needs shooting, and Sasser has shot the lights out, so he should get plenty of chances to shine with a reduced rotation.
Sasser is also playing for a future contract with the Pistons or someone else or at least the right not to be included in a trade deadline move as contract filler.
The Pistons have shown they can win without their entire rotation, but they will need these guys to step up and seize the opportunity.