Detroit Pistons: Two players on contract year with much to prove

The Detroit Pistons success should be fuelled by a couple of starters entering into a contract year. Anytime money is involved, mainly when someone’s performance hinges on their next payday, it seemingly brings out the best in a person.

Whether it’s in the profession, you are currently in, or a professional athlete, the philosophy remains the same. If your contract is set to expire, and you are about to hit the open market, the goal is to be performing at the highest level possible garnering leverage as you enter into the negotiations. This should benefit the Detroit Pistons in the upcoming season.

In a season that saw the conference’s best player leave for the west coast after winning a championship, the door is wide open in the east. Kevin Durant also decided to leave the dynasty in Golden State to join the New Jersey Nets but will be sidelined for the entire season due to injury. Another reason why the Eastern Conference is wide open, for at least one season.

The Pistons are projected to be a sub .500 team according to the betting lines in Vegas for the ’19/’20 season, but that doesn’t quite make sense. I feel the Detroit Pistons bettered themselves this offseason and should be able to match their 41 win total of last season. I don’t expect the Pistons to be a top-four team in the conference, but they are unmistakably a playoff team. With the under/over set at 37.5 wins, Vegas is suggesting the Pistons will miss the playoffs.

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I don’t think they are taking into consideration both Reggie Jackson and star center Andre Drummond playing on a contract year. Andre Drummond had a fantastic season last year scoring 17.3 points per game, a whopping 15.6 boards per game adding 1.4 assists on average. It will be difficult for Andre to accumulate more than 15.6 rebounds per game next season, but with the big man seeking a new contract, he will be inspired to score 20 points per game.

Andre recently expressed his excitement for next summer. Drummond has a player option next year and recently all but opted out publically. He mentioned he’s excited, very excited for next summer. He said he feels he’s the most prominent name available as he gleamed with excitement.

He may have simply made Ed Stefanski’s decision much easy as the NBA deadline approaches depending on where the Pistons sit in the standings. With Andre saying he can’t wait to test the market, it allows Stefanski to aggressively move the center with little to no push back from the fanbase.

The other starter playing for his next contract is point guard Reggie Jackson. Jackson played in all 82 games last season for the Pistons. It was the first time in Jackson’s career that he appeared in every game of the season for his respected team.

The Pistons also brought in veteran guard Derrick Rose to back up Jackson. The move also sparks some healthy competition. Rose averaged 18 points per game throughout 51 contests last season. Rose has struggled to remain healthy for an entire season, so it’s unlikely the Pistons will play him extensive minutes; he will be on a pitch count. But Rose, if he’s playing as well as he did last season could command a 50/50 split with Jackson.

Reggie Jackson will likely not be in the future plans of the Detroit Pistons. His $18-million salary makes him difficult to trade, so don’t be surprised if the Pistons lose him for nothing. If a team calls looking for a backup PG, I expect Ed Stefanski to pull the trigger on a deal immediately.

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In the meantime, I expect money along with Rose to fuel Reggie Jackson this season. It’s been a few years since Reg has scored 18 points per game but look for him to try and turn back the clock as he will have a desire to pad his wallet elsewhere next summer.

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