The Detroit Pistons are coming into year two of Stan Van Gundy's reign looking to make progress and the team is ready to take a step in the east with Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond leading the way. The team added Stanley Johnson in the draft and the team also brought in Marcus Morris, Danny Granger and Steve Blake in deals.
The Pistons lost a top talent in Greg Monroe, but the team struggled for a few years to fit Monroe and Drummond in the same front court. The team is prepared to build around Drummond and Jackson and the point guard comes in after getting an $80 million extension in the offseason. Jackson will have to prove he is worth that money, but he has shown flashes of being a top point guard and now he will be in Detroit for a stretch after being traded from the Thunder.
Jackson signed a five year deal as a restricted free agent and on media day he was asked about the pressure of playing under a deal like that. Jackson said that he wants to "win a championship" and that he will continue to "work hard" for his team. Drummond, Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope give the team a solid core and adding Johnson could help with depth. Morris was a solid pickup and he comes in as an athletic forward that gives the team some versatility on the court.
Johnson is young at 19-years-old and the Pistons feel that he can develop into a starting rotation player in the future. Van Gundy had praise for Jackson on media day and said that Johnson will have the chance to prove he deserves minutes with his play in camp and the preseason. Johnson was the number eight overall pick in the draft and he will be looking to be a solid backup for Morris.
Brandon Jennings is coming back from an Achilles injury and he likely will not be back on the court for quite some time. According to the Detroit Free Press, Jennings has been progressing in his rehabilitation and he has been cleared "to continue a steady progression of basketball-related rehab activities geared towards a return to the basketball court."
What that basically means is that Jennings is not going to be back for a while, but he is moving forward in his recovery. Jennings played in just 41 games last season and Van Gundy said that his return has no timetable and is likely "months away." Van Gundy added that the Pistons will be cautious and will not play Jennings until he is fully recovered.
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