Detroit Pistons: Predicting roles for the entire Pistons’ roster

Detroit Pistons backup Point Guard Cory Joseph.

Expected Role: Backup Point Guard, Crafty Vet

After a strong stint with the Pistons after the trade deadline, Cory Joseph was resigned on a one-year deal.  This year, Joseph will be running the bench unit with fellow Canadian Kelly Olynyk. Those two form a nice pairing of savvy vets who will have the offense run through them.

Joseph is an intelligent player who knows when to score or set up other players, and his steady play is a great floor raiser for the entire bench unit.

From the preseason, the bench unit looks like it could be a strength of the team, and Joseph is the leader of the unit. Resigning Joseph was a great move for the Pistons, and if he continues his strong play, contenders could come calling for him to lead their bench.

Detroit Pistons backup Shooting Guard Frank Jackson.

Expected Role: Backup Shooting Guard, Microwave Scorer

Frank Jackson was a revelation for the Pistons last season as a three-point specialist. As the backup shooting guard, he should come into games ready to let it fly. Expect Jackson to work off screens constantly and look for a bit of space to get his shot off.

Jackson spent last season learning from the master at this, Wayne Ellington, and looked extremely comfortable shooting on the move. If defenses don’t pay him enough attention, he will light them up from three, but if they close out too quickly, Jackson has the quickness and explosiveness to finish at the rim.

Playing with Joseph, Jackson will likely need to defend bigger guards, so he will need to improve on defense and play bigger than his size. Jackson will be a big-time off-ball scorer who will stretch the defense at all times and will likely have some big scoring games.