Reggie Jackson’s ankle injury has thrown a wrench in the playoffs aspirations of the Detroit Pistons. While Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy has complete faith in the remaining cast of healthy players on Detroit’s roster, his confidence doesn’t change the team’s intent to explore trade options to shore up the point guard position. This is according to Rod Beard of The Detroit News.
#Pistons SVG on trade possibility for a PG: "That doesn’t really change; you’re always looking for what’s there… (GM Jeff Bower) will be on the phone, seeing if there are people available that we think would make us better. Right now, we’re ready to go with this group."
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) December 28, 2017
Earlier this season, the Pistons were among the teams that had interest in acquiring the then-embattled Phoenix Suns point guard Eric Bledsoe, who eventually inked a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Jackson’s absence also further depletes the Pistons’ backcourt that is already missing Avery Bradley due to a groin injury.
For the meantime, the Pistons will roll with Ish Smith as their starting point guard with Jackson sidelined for six to eight weeks.
Smith has been one of the most dependable backup court generals in the NBA today. Per 36 minutes this season, Smith is averaging 15.9 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.2 rebounds.
The knock on Smith, however, is his shaky perimeter shooting, especially for a guard. The 29-year-old Smith is a career 28.5 percent three-point shooter. In addition, he is shooting just 41.7 percent from the field since he entered the NBA in 2010.
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