Studs and duds: Pistons' grades for the preseason
The Detroit Pistons finished their preseason with a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers to bring their record up to 3-2 in the exhibitions.
The starters only played eight minutes, so it’s a good sign the Pistons were able to take care of business, as the Cavs played all of their regulars over 20 minutes.
Even though these games don’t count for anything, the Pistons will have a little extra confidence in their step heading into the regular season and don’t look like the team that won just 14 games a year ago.
Related Story. 2 Moves that look genius, 1 that looks suspect for the Pistons. 2 Moves that look genius, 1 that looks suspect for the Pistons. dark
Part of that is because of the new additions (including coach JB Bickerstaff) but most of the renewed vigor came from the young players, who all look to have improved in key areas with a better roster around them.
Here are the preseason grades for the 12 players who figure to be part of the Pistons’ rotation early in the season.
Marcus Sasser: C
Sasser took care of the ball, but didn’t shoot it very well, so we leave preseason wondering if he will be the odd man out of the rotation. With Bickerstaff staggering Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey to keep one of them on the court, Sasser may see limited to no action once the games get real. Given his low contract, if he is out of the rotation completely, he’s a guy we could see moved at the deadline to address other needs or as a sweetener in a trade.
Paul Reed: C+
Reed is another guy who looks to be on the fringes of the rotation, though given Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart’s propensity for fouling, there is a good chance he’ll see action. He didn’t shoot the ball well either, but Reed showed what he brings to the table, which is energy on the boards and defense. He filled the stat sheet in his 11 minutes per game in the preseason averaging over two combined steals and blocks in that time.