Early clues to the Pistons starting lineup

Detroit Pistons training camp is in its third day, so let the starting lineup speculation begin! 

Aside from wondering who will play, when and how much, the biggest news out of training camp so far is the health status of Ausar Thompson, who has not yet been cleared for full-contact practice. 

With him relegated to drills, the Pistons will have even more questions around their starting lineup and rotation, as Thompson figures to be a big part of both at some point this season. 

The Pistons also have a tough early schedule, so JB Bickerstaff may lean on veterans to avoid falling into an big hole before Thanksgiving rolls around, a Pistons' holiday tradition. The lineups and rotations we see now can and will change as the season progresses and players further define their roles. 

Starting lineups are also overblown, as some fans lose their minds if a certain player doesn’t start, when the real issue is how much they play and who is finishing games. 

Disclaimers aside, JB Bickerstaff will have one tough call to make right away if Ausar Thompson is not available, which is who starts on the wing. The Pistons may have given us a small clue in a recent video from team practice. 

Detroit Pistons starting lineup: Training camp edition

Internet sleuths were dissecting a recent team video for clues about which roles players currently have in the rotation, using the colors of their shirts as clues. 

Both Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham were on the blue team, which might be a sign that Ivey is destined for the starting five. 

This would be an interesting choice, as the Pistons are thin at backup point guard and many believe that job should be Ivey’s. But Bickerstaff has already talked about staggering his young guards, so we may see both of them start, with Ivey hitting the bench early and then coming back in when Cunningham exits to run the second unit. 

Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley were also wearing blue jerseys (with red over them), another indication of Bickerstaff’s thinking. Harris is certain to start, but with Thompson potentially out, most believed coach Bickerstaff would turn to Simone Fontecchio in the starting five, then choose between Beasley and Ivey. 

Starting both Beasley and Ivey would be interesting offensively, though I am not sure how the defense would hold up. Beasley started all but two games for the Bucks last season, so it does make sense to lean on him early, as he’s the Pistons’ most proven shooter. 

Tim Hardaway Jr., Fontecchio, Isaiah Stewart and Marcus Sasser were all in gray, likely indicating a bench role. Splash in a bit of Paul Reed and I think you’re looking at the 9–10-man rotation to start the season, which would leave rookie Ron Holland II on the outside looking in. 

Fontecchio and Stewart will likely be first off the bench and get plenty of minutes mixed in with the starters as Bickerstaff tries to find his best groups. This may not be a championship roster, but it has more talent, depth and better fit than they’ve had in four seasons. 

I’d love to see Jaden Ivey play well enough to take a spot in the starting five, which will be one of the main storylines to watch as training camp and preseason progress.