The Detroit Pistons plan to utilize two-way big man Isaac Jones more as a power forward for the upcoming season
When the Detroit Pistons claimed Isaac Jones off waivers at the beginning of the 2025-26 regular season, the big man served as a quality frontcourt depth addition with touch around the rim and NBA experience. Jones was initially brought in on a two-way, so he spent a lot of time with the Motor City Cruise in the G-League before the Pistons were forced to do some mid-season roster reshaping.
At the trade deadline, the Pistons briefly waived Jones to make room for Kevin Huerter, but Detroit was able to re-sign the Washington State product to a two-way deal shortly thereafter that allowed him to settle into a groove. As a whole, Jones averaged 22.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per game for the Cruise last season, but he’s gone through an offseason full of transitions that could unlock a more direct pathway to playing time at the NBA level.
Before the summer, Jones had primarily operated as a slightly undersized center with strong glass cleaning instincts and an effective low post game. But in the Summer League with Steve Scalzi coaching the Detroit Pistons, Jones began to play more as a stretch four and moved out closer to the perimeter.
At 6-8 and 245 pounds, Jones has the natural frame of a power forward with the grit and physicality necessary to battle in the paint. During Detroit’s five-game Summer League stretch, Jones logged just under 15 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for the Pistons as the team produced a 1-4 record in the exhibition series.
At the NBA level, Jones only featured in four games for the Pistons last season, so he wasn’t able to make much of a dent right off the bat given Detroit’s frontcourt depth. Tobias Harris started every game that he was healthy for last season, but his offseason departure to the San Antonio Spurs could open the door for Jones to slide into reserve minutes with the Pistons in the event of an injury.
John Collins is presumed to be the squad’s starting power forward once the 2026-27 campaign opens up, but there’s a question mark as to who will receive second-string minutes at the four. The Pistons have no shortage of options with Ron Holland II, Tolu Smith and possibly Javonte Green or Taurean Prince in the mix, but no one has solidified themselves as the first power forward off the bench for Detroit just yet.
In the G-League, Jones was a 37.5% three-point shooter last season with the Cruise, so the big man is comfortable stepping out and knocking down shots from the perimeter. As a four, Jones will have more of a natural opportunity to do so in the flow of the game, so that element should become an even larger part of his game as the season progresses. During the Summer League, Jones even ran the break and had a chance to make plays in the open court, so it’s clear that he’s putting in work to become more comfortable as an initiator with the basketball.
Jones may have an uphill climb towards regular playing time on the Pistons, but his future at power forward looks bright, so it’s too early to discount his ability to contribute at the NBA level just yet. In the right situation, Jones has the tools to make a considerable impact, and Scalzi recognizes those qualities.
As the new Motor City Cruise head coach, Scalzi worked closely with Jones during the Summer League, so he already has an idea of how to use the talented, versatile big man when the G-League season kicks off, which could only serve to benefit the fourth-year pro.
