The Detroit Pistons were dealt a devastating blow on Thursday with the news that Jaden Ivey will miss at least a month after undergoing a knee procedure. Not only is this very disappointing for the talented guard who has been rehabbing from his broken leg for the last nine months, it also creates problems that JB Bickerstaff needs to solve days before the start of the season.
In the Pistons' fourth and final preseason game on Thursday, Bickerstaff may have gotten a better idea for potential answers in Ivey's absence. One of the standout performers of the preseason, Daniss Jenkins, continued to shine on Thursday, putting up 11 points, three assists, and two steals on 4/7 shooting in 17 minutes of action, while making his only three-pointer. Detroit was +5 in his minutes on their way to a 119-98 win over the Wizards.
Daniss Jenkins Deserves a Rotation Role After Jaden Ivey Injury
With his preseason performance, Jenkins deserves a longer look as a potential rotation player. He averaged 11.5 points and four assists on 51.7/55.6/78.6 shooting splits in 22.9 minutes per game in four preseason outings. He consistently made his three pointers and showed flashes of intriguing scoring ability.
This is especially interesting since Jenkins has a very similar profile to Ivey, both in terms of his physical tools and play style. He is a combo guard with good positional size that has the ability to score, get to the rim, and make plays for others. Not too many players on the Pistons' roster can replicate what Ivey does the way Jenkins can.
Obviously, expecting Jenkins to replace Ivey when he has never been a rotation player in the NBA is unfair. Translating Summer League and preseason success to the NBA is not always easy. The 24-year-old is not even on a guaranteed deal with the Pistons. His two-way contract makes it harder for him to be a true part of the rotation, as he has to split his time between the G League and the NBA.
Unless he is converted to a guaranteed contract. The Pistons have an open roster spot, and Ivey's injury only makes it more obvious that it should go to Jenkins. Detroit needs more ballhandlers in Ivey's absence, and there aren't too many great options other than Jenkins, Ausar Thompson, Caris LeVert, and Marcus Sasser. How Ivey's minutes are divvied up among that group will be one of Bickerstaff's toughest decisions to start the season.