The most tentative spot in the Detroit Pistons’ rotation currently belongs to Marcus Sasser, who would likely be the 10th man if the season started today.
That spot may be even less secure after Daniss Jenkins had a strong Summer League and showed some of the playmaking skills that Sasser lacks.
Sasser was in and out of the lineup last season, but performed well when called upon, so he’s done nothing to lose his spot and has no intention of allowing his limited minutes to be taken by Jenkins, so we’ll likely be hearing about some lively training camp battles.
With their 9-man rotation likely set, Sasser still has plenty to prove before the Pistons have to make a tough decision about his contract.
Marcus Sasser’s contract and the Detroit Pistons’ point guard situation
Sasser has just a team option left on his deal worth $5.1 million, which they have to exercise or decline by October 31st, a big jump up from the $2.8 million he'll make next season.
That’s a steep cost for a guy who appeared in just 57 games last season, and that was even with Jaden Ivey going down and depleting the Pistons’ guard depth.
Paying over five million for a guy who barely plays is not efficient use of cap space, and there isn’t any guarantee Sasser is going to play much more than he did last season.
With Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren likely making up the starting five and Duncan Robinson, Caris LeVert, Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland II coming off the bench, there will be scant minutes for fringe players like Sasser and Paul Reed.
Sasser isn’t a point guard, which hurts his case here, as the Pistons could use more of a sure-handed floor general in the few minutes that both Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey are off the floor, a role left vacant by Dennis Schroder's departure.
That doesn’t mean the Pistons are going to replace Sasser with Daniss Jenkins, as Sasser has at least shown he can score against NBA competition, but it may put Sasser's long-term future with the team in question, especially with his option pending.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see Sasser traded at some point, as it would be risky for the Pistons to pick up his option if he doesn’t have a real role.