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Detroit Pistons: Derrick Rose Is Not A Big Signing, But Is He A Big Sign?

By Jon Poole

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 06: Derrick Rose #25 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks to shoot next to Thon Maker #7 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on March 06, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 06: Derrick Rose #25 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks to shoot next to Thon Maker #7 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on March 06, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Derrick Rose was always going to sign as a high-risk, high reward backup point guard this off-season. Rose was never going to sign on to be a starting NBA point guard this year. Not even if he signed with the Detroit Pistons who currently rosters’ a bottom tier starting point guard in Reggie Jackson.

Unless that is; current Detroit Pistons starter Reggie Jackson is traded.  Last season Derrick Rose played like one of the best back up point guards in the league averaging; 18.0 PPG /4.3 APG/.482 FG%/.370 3PT%/27.3 MPG.

Problem is last year was considered a ‘comeback’ healthy season for Rose, who still only played in 51 games, having to sit out the final 15 games due to bone chips in his elbow. But, make no mistake about it, when Derrick Rose is healthy, he’s a better player than current starter Reggie Jackson in just about every way. Reggie might have a better floater?

The only reason Rose is not thought of as a starting point guard at this point in his career is strictly that you can’t depend on him to stay healthy. To counter that you limit his minutes, hope for the best and enjoy the ride while it lasts. Last season was the first season Rose played with any regularity in three years, and while last year was enjoyable, the ride still ended short.

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So, is it possible the Detroit Pistons signing of Derrick Rose is a sign Reggie Jackson is on his way out of Detroit before the trade deadline? Yes, but that was always going to be the case with any point guard they signed. The only difference now is that if Rose stays healthy, you will have actually improved the starting unit with a Reggie trade. But if Rose isn’t healthy? …well, hold on…

There was a sneaky great signing in my opinion last night by the Detroit Pistons that could make the post-Jackson season transition much smoother than expected, or at least give them enough confidence to pull the trigger on a Reggie trade and not have to depend on just Rose and the second rounder in Jordan Bone.

The Pistons signed PG Time Frazier on the second day of free agency. Frazier has always been one of my favorite guards to watch off the bench for years now, to be honest ever since I picked him up in fantasy a back in 2015 and realized how much he produced off the bench. ‘No one cares about your fantasy team, bro.’

Last season Frazier was 9th in the NBA in assists with 8.0 per 36 minutes per basketball-reference.com. He was sandwiched between other PG’s Ben Simmons and Ricky Rubio for reference. Reggie Jackson was 42nd with 5.4, for even more of a reference, second on his own team.

But, Reggie Jackson being a below average point guard isn’t the reason for the rush to trade him this year. Jackson is on the last year of his God awful contract that pays him 18 million this year. The Pistons should be finding any suitor available wanting to take on an expiring to get anything they can for Reggie; I don’t care if it’s a new water fountain for the locker room. To let Reggie play out this season when the Pistons have relatively zero chance at a championship, only to then see him walk away for nothing via unrestricted free agency would be general manager negligence.

With the acquisitions of a couple of per 36-minute all-stars in Rose and Frazier, it makes trading Jackson a bit easier on the fans; something that would have looked like a mess last year with Ish Smith and Jose Calderon.

I tend to view franchises, especially the ones I’m a fan of through the eyes of general manager. So more in terms of ‘winning windows’ rather than just a year to year basis. Right now the Detroit Pistons have three years left in their current window of Blake Griffin.

Next. Pistons add veteran guard Derrick Rose at bargain price. dark

I don’t see them making any kind of run without adding another piece around Griffin and Drummond, the Big 1.5. That ‘other piece‘ is something they can’t afford until Reggie’s contract is off the books next season. So the best moves to make are the moves that set up that 2020-2021 & 2021-2022 seasons, the last two years on Blake Griffins’ contract.

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