Entering the Pistons three-day break before facing the Bucks on Saturday, the main objective for Detroit was to get healthy after an 13-2 start to the season, and the squad may have two additional players to work with over the weekend.

Earlier today, both Jaden Ivey and Tobias Harris were recalled from the Motor City Cruise before they could even suit up for a game, and will now be with the Detroit Pistons as they continue their recovery. Harris is rehabbing a sprained ankle injury, while Ivey is regaining strength in his knee after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. 

Now, the Pistons’ pair are rejoining Detroit with an availability as early as this weekend, though both Ivey and Harris are expected to incrementally ramp up their playing time. While the Pistons welcome both players back, a new quandary has been created– who should give up their spot in the lineup? 

“It’s not going to be easy, to be honest with you,” Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said on Friday. “I’m hard-pressed to find a guy on our roster who shouldn’t play, or doesn’t deserve to play.”

With Ivey out of the lineup, an opportunity emerged for point guard Daniss Jenkins to quickly grow into his role as a dependable secondary ball handler, and he seems to have earned a regular spot in the rotation. Over the past week, Jenkins has averaged north of 20 points and seven assists per game, so he’s been highly productive when the Pistons needed him most. 

Harris, on the other hand, will have a more simple return to the Detroit lineup. While the veteran has been out injured, the Pistons opted to use Isaiah Stewart at the four in a two-big lineup next to center Jalen Duren. The Pistons have continued their winning streak with this lineup, and both players have combined to make the paint an uncomfortable place for opposing big men. 

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Now, Beef Stew will not be an easy player to unseat, so it’s possible that Bickerstaff decides to work Harris back into the mix while still relying on the two-big lineup at times throughout the course of the game. The Pistons have shown an ability to dictate the paint while running the floor with both Stewart and Duren on the floor, so playing the pair together still allows for Detroit to stick to its identity. 

Over the offseason, Stewart worked with Pistons assistant coach Fred Vinson on his outside shot, and Beef Stew has taken pride in knocking down the corner three-point shot during Detroit’s 13-2 start. So, Stewart’s growth as a shooter makes him an even more valuable piece for the Pistons to have on the floor, especially since it’s an area that Harris is already strong in. 

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Ultimately, the Pistons are a stronger team with a deeper bench when both Harris and Ivey are available to play. While the duo might not walk back into the starting lineup, Bickerstaff generally does not believe in players losing their spot due to injury, so they’ll have an opportunity to retake the floor sooner rather than later.

The first chance for Ivey and Harris to do so will be tomorrow on Saturday, Nov. 22 when the Pistons face the Milwaukee Bucks on the road. 

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