This is how Pistons Roundtable expects Detroit to line up against the Memphis Grizzlies

With a preseason opener against the Memphis Grizzlies a little over an hour away, the Detroit Pistons will look to see how the team meshes after an offseason with a light degree of turnover. Though the main components of Detroit’s young starting unit are intact, the Pistons lost Tim Hardaway Jr., Dennis Schroder and Malik Beasley over the offseason, opting to replace the trio with Caris LeVert, Duncan Robinson and rookie Chaz Lanier. 

Now, the Pistons have an opportunity to watch the team live in a competitive format against the Grizzlies, but how will the starting lineup look for tonight?

Point Guard – Cade Cunningham

This is a no-brainer. Star point guard Cade Cunningham is coming off a third-team All-NBA selection, and he’s the engine behind Detroit’s playoff push last season. Cunningham reportedly had a productive offseason– which included a trip to Rome with Jalen Duren- and he’s excited to get back on the floor.

Shooting Guard – Jaden Ivey

By all accounts, Pistons guard Jaden Ivey is good to go and entered training camp with a clean bill of health and no restrictions, which is a positive sign after a broken injury ended Ivey’s breakout season. The explosive guard out of Purdue started in each of his 30 games pre-injury, so look for the speedster to use the preseason to settle into a groove at the two spot for Detroit. 

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Small Forward – Ausar Thompson

Standing at 6-6, Ausar Thompson is a defensive menace who has the length to guard multiple positions and the mindset required to make doing so part of his craft. Thompson is ambitious on defense, and he set out a goal to guard the opponent’s top scorer from start to finish each night out this season.

Power Forward – Tobias Harris

Returning for another season with the Pistons, Harris is a veteran big man who can space the floor and knock down jumpers when given a clean look. Harris is active and contributes on the boards, and his veteran experience is likely to give him the nod for the starting role at the four for the Pistons. Last year, Harris averaged 13.7 points per game and shot a very respectable 34.5% clip from three-point range, and his ability to see the game will be valuable for Detroit once again.

Center – Jalen Duren

As the final line of defense in the paint for the Pistons, Jalen Duren has carved out his role as an indispensable force tasked with protecting the rim. Duren is a plus-rebounder when crashing the glass on both ends of the court, and he’s even been working on expanding his game by adding a consistent jump shot to his arsenal in training camp. Duren has an important role on the Pistons, and his intense, physical approach is part of Detroit’s identity as a team hungry to reach the playoffs for a second consecutive year. 

The Pistons will tip off against the Memphis Grizzlies at 8 pm tonight. 

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