Detroit Pistons Preseason Notes: Duren Update, Offseason Departures

After an offseason filled with roster turnover, the Detroit Pistons started off their preseason campaign on the right note with a thrilling 109-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night. Now five days later, the Pistons are back in action against the Washington Wizards, this time on the road and potentially with a major reinforcement. 

Although 22-year old All-Star Jalen Duren was inactive for Detroit’s first exhibition contest, the big man is much more likely to suit up for tonight’s Eastern Conference clash. Although Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been understandably cagey about Duren’s return up until now, the All-NBA Third-Teamer was a participant for today’s shootaround period, which bodes well for his status tonight. 

In Detroit’s win over the Suns, Paul Reed shifted into the starting lineup to compensate for Duren’s absence with John Collins earning small-ball minutes at the five and Tolu Smith chipping in during the second half as well. But for B-Ball Paul, the veteran big man had a productive outing with 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block on the night. Though the Pistons’ small-ball lineup was imperfect in its debut, the squad will continue to look for new lineup possibilities at the five now that Isaiah Stewart is no longer in the building. 

As for the former Piston, Stewart was working through the preseason with his new Memphis Grizzlies teammates before the shot-swatter’s preseason campaign was derailed with a left ankle sprain. Beef Stew is slated to be reevaluated in two weeks, so the defensive anchor will be sidelined during a crucial chemistry-building period with his new squad. 

Similarly, Tobias Harris signed with the San Antonio Spurs during the summer, but the longtime vet’s preseason was also shut down once he picked up a calf issue at the start of training camp. As for Marcus Sasser, the former Pistons point guard is experiencing familiar issues with his left adductor right now, so he’s been ruled out of the Dallas Mavericks preseason game tonight as well. 

While Caris LeVert currently has a clean bill of health, the Milwaukee Bucks look like they’ll need to waive two players in order to hit the league’s 15-man limit, so the veteran guard has been bandied about as a potentially expendable piece for the Central Division outfit. Either way, the former Pistons players have had a rough go as of late, while their replacements have another opportunity to carve out their place in the Motor City in tonight’s preseason tilt against the Wizards.