The Detroit Pistons added a familiar face to the squad earlier today
Last week, the Detroit Pistons made a flurry of roster moves as a result of trading guard Jaden Ivey to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Kevin Huerter, Dario Saric and a first-round pick swap with the Minnesota Timberwolves. As a result, the Pistons were over their 15-player roster limit with the looming impetus to clear another spot for Daniss Jenkins since his two-way deal needed to be converted.
To make the numbers work, the Pistons opted to waive Isaac Jones to bring the squad down to 15 players plus Jenkins. Then on Sunday, Detroit converted the second-year guard to a standard NBA deal, so the Pistons then waived Saric to meet the league’s roster restriction.
Earlier today, the Pistons brought Jones back into the fold, singing him to a two-way deal that will allow the second-year big man to rejoin the organization.
While Jones’ absence was brief, it is clear that the Pistons’ organization sees potential in the 6-8, 245 lb. power forward who bounced from the Sacramento Kings before settling into a role with the Motor City Cruise of the G-League.
Playing for the cruise, Jones averaged 16.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, but he closed the month of January with one of his best performances of the season. On Jan. 28, Jones scored the last 14 points of the game for the Cruise in what was a 32-point, 15-rebound, seven-block effort from the fringe NBA player. Given that type of production, Jones is improving from a skills perspective since his technical game still needs to catch up to his physical, gritty nature.
Based on the move’s timing, there is an outside chance that Jones could be called up to the NBA for a series of games if Isaiah Stewart or Jalen Duren are suspended for an extended period of time following the Pistons’ brawl with the Hornets last night. In the 110-104 Detroit victory, both JD and Beef Stew were ejected for their roles in a bench-clearing fight, and the Pistons were forced to grind out the win without either big fellas down low.
Since front-court depth could be an issue for the Pistons moving forward, Jones may find an opportunity to suit up in the NBA sooner rather than later, but the league would need to levy a suspension first.
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