Pistons need a sleeper to change the trajectory of the season

The Detroit Pistons have relied on a cast of unlikely heroes throughout the season, and they once again will need to call upon some sleepers to step up. 

Both Ausar Thompson and Caris LeVert are out for tonight’s game in Brooklyn, so the Pistons will have to replace a starter and bench rotation player, as they did in their blowout loss to the Heat. 

The Pistons need someone outside the normal starting five to seize the opportunity here. Luckily, they have candidates, but they’ve mostly been struggling lately. 

Marcus Sasser has a chance, but it won’t last forever 

Sasser got the start in the last game but only played 19 minutes after the Pistons got eviscerated in the first quarter. 

He has a shot to play his way into a meaningful role this season, as the Pistons need 3-point shooting, but he has to start hitting shots. He’s hit just 38 percent from the floor over his last 10 games and 23 percent over his last five. 

It was a tough ask to be thrust into a starting role after not playing for most of the season, but Sasser has to hit shots, or his opportunity will be short lived. 

Should Daniss Jenkins start? 

Speaking of not making shots, Jenkins is another player who has gone ice cold in recent weeks. 

Jenkins has put up solid numbers as a starter this season, so it’s possible JB Bickerstaff will go back to him in the starting five at some point if Ausar Thompson has to miss more time. 

Both Sasser and Jenkins are struggling, so there isn’t a great option here. 

Kevin Huerter would at least add more size to the starting five 

Huerter hasn’t exactly been setting the world on fire since joining the Pistons, even now that he’s actually playing, but he did get 22 minutes against the Heat, more than Sasser, so it’s possible we’ll see the two flipped tonight, with Huerter in the starting five. 

This is a group worth trying, as Huerter at least gives the Pistons more size on the wing and he and Robinson are both guys other defenses respect even though Huerter hasn’t shot the ball well this year from long range. 

It’s time to free Paul Reed 

With all of those players struggling, the Pistons could turn to a guy who has been great all season in Paul Reed. 

JB Bickerstaff could just go big and put either Stewart or Reed in the starting five, but either way, Reed needs to get more minutes, as he plays with nonstop motor and energy that the Pistons could use right now. 

Detroit needs to catch some magic with one or more of these guys while Ausar Thompson is out, but right now, only Reed is making the most of his minutes and he’s getting the fewest, so something need to change.