Swochchhanda Shrestha

Going into next season, one of the biggest questions on the Detroit Pistons roster is backup point guard. Based on the moves so far in the offseason, most fans are expecting a committee approach to this role, with playmaking on the second unit coming from guys like Caris LeVert and Jaden Ivey. But the most ideal option would be for Marcus Sasser to grow into the backup point guard role that he was seemingly drafted for in the first place.

Coming off a resurgent season and with the Eastern Conference being impacted by key injuries, the Detroit Pistons have high expectations for next season. ESPN has projected them as the 11th best team in the NBA, based on a panel of experts, and 4th in the East behind the Cavaliers, Knicks and Magic. This projection seems quite optimistic, considering the Pistons were 6th in the East and 14th in the league overall last year. But the Pistons might be able to exceed even these lofty goals.

The Detroit Pistons’ historic turnaround last season was helped in large part by an influx of solid veterans compared to the season prior. Of those veterans, Tim Hardaway Jr and Dennis Schroder (who was acquired at the trade deadline) have now left for other teams in free agency while Malik Beasley has pending federal investigation related to gambling irregularities and not currently signed by any team.