Here are three bold predictions about the Pistons preseason slate

This year, the Detroit Pistons will carry out a four-game preseason schedule that starts off the top with a road game tonight at 8 pm against the Memphis Grizzlies. In this contest, the Grizzlies will be without star guard Ja Morant and likely Jarren Jackson Jr. as well, so the Pistons will be matched up against a depleted Memphis squad. 

After tonight’s game, the Pistons will have two consecutive preseason road games before finally wrapping up the exhibition slate with a home game against the Washington Wizards on Thursday, Oct. 16. 

Now, the Pistons are expected to trot out the starters for a decent portion of the first quarter. Detroit’s starting unit might play sparingly in the second quarter, but the expectation is that much of the Pistons’ rotational pieces will see a lot of run.

So, what can be determined from the preseason and what can the fanbase hope to see over the next four games?

Ron Holland II will emerge as the first man off the bench

With Malik Beasley off the team, the Pistons need to find a new player to spark the squad off the bench. During the tail end of last season and through Summer League this offseason, Holland made noticeable strides in his offensive game and how comfortable he looks on the court. Holland was already lauded for his defensive intensity and willingness to hit the boards when rebounding, so the emergence of a more complete offensive profile will allow the second-year forward to stay on the court longer, and I think he’s going to carve out an important role on the Pistons sooner rather than later.

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Caris LeVert will run the second unit more often than Marcus Sasser

The playing time split for the backup point guard spot will be very important to determine, and I think it will shake out in favor of LeVert during the start of the year. Perhaps Sasser grows into a role where he’s trusted to run the offense when Cade Cunningham needs a rest, but LeVert has a wealth of experience and doesn’t turn the ball over at a high rate so he could certainly do the job in the meantime. Guard Jaden Ivey is another option for the Pistons when Cunningham is taking a break, so Detroit has a few quality options jockeying for position. 

Chaz Lanier will impress with his ability to score in bunches

During his short stint in the Summer League, Pistons rookie Chaz Lanier acquitted himself well as an athletic shoot-first guard who can create his shot and has rather advanced off-ball movement already. Lanier sees the game quickly for a rookie, and he knows how to score when his shot presents itself, so it would not be a surprise to see the Tennessee product enjoy a lot of playing time in the preseason– and he might wind up as the team’s top scorer in one or two of those contests. 

The Pistons will begin the preseason tonight at 8 pm against the Memphis Grizzlies. 

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