The Detroit Pistons will spend much of this season evaluating their young players, a process that is already facing a setback.
It was announced during Pistons media day that Ausar Thompson would miss the start of training camp as he waits to be cleared for full-contact action.
Trajan Langdon said there is “no timeline” and that the decision was up to the league and out of their hands, as reported by the Detroit Free Press.
Hopefully, this is all just precautionary after Thompson faced a very serious health issue last season and obviously everyone involved is concerned for his long-term health, not just with getting him back on the floor.
He’ll be there eventually and hopefully before the start of preseason or at least regular season, but in the meantime, Detroit will have to move on without him in training camp scrimmages.
Who will they turn to if Thompson is out?
Simone Fontecchio in the Detroit Pistons starting lineup
If the Pistons have to play any games without Ausar Thompson, Simone Fontecchio will almost certainly be in the starting lineup.
Detroit could also turn to veteran Tim Hardaway Jr., but Fontecchio’s combination of shooting and defense make him a better choice for starter’s minutes.
With Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris likely to take up three spots, that leaves just one position open in the starting lineup.
The Pistons could go with another veteran shooter
My favorite potential starting lineup for the Pistons involves Cade, Ausar, Fontecchio, Harris and Duren, as it feels like their best balance of offense and defense, but if Ausar is out, inserting even more shooting into the starting five makes sense.
We could see Malik Beasley at two-guard along with Cade, Tek, Harris and Duren which would give Cunningham three good shooters and maximize his space.
The defense is going to suffer either way with Thompson out, so you may as well get as much shooting around Cunningham as possible and see what that looks like.
This also allows Jaden Ivey to start the season coming off the bench, which might be his best role. He can come into the game and play with Cade for a few minutes, then take over the team as the lead ball handler.
If JB Bickerstaff plans on using Ivey in that role, then putting him there from the beginning is the smart move, as we don’t want another situation where Ivey is being jerked in and out of the starting five. Whatever his role is supposed to be, just put him there right away.
Beasley started 77 of 79 games for the playoff-bound Bucks last season, so he is more than capable of handling the job for Detroit.
Thompson’s absence (however long it lasts) should also open up more opportunities for rookies Ron Holland II and Bobi Klintman in training camp, who can benefit from increased reps.
The main thing is getting Thompson back on the floor healthy, which will hopefully happen sooner rather than later, as the Pistons need his defense in their starting five.