Among the many preseason goals of a coaching staff is locking down the nightly rotation.
For the Detroit Pistons, their four exhibition games revealed that rotation might be too deep to be narrowed by much.
Their 3-1 preseason record – capped by a 129-125 home win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday, Oct. 16 – is the result of a roster that produced from the top – Cade Cunningham – to the 15th player. Rookie Ebuka Okorie and second-year big Tolu Smith are among the Pistons who lack a clear path to regular playing time, despite their compelling cases for such.
It’s a good problem to have, and it’s one coach J.B. Bickerstaff will have to explore further during the regular
season – perhaps not in the opener against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday (3 p.m., NBC), or in October games against the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and New York Knicks, but soon enough.
“We’re constantly saying everybody’s showcasing their ability for their opportunity,” said assistant coach and former NBA veteran guard Jarrett Jack, who filled in for Bickerstaff on Friday in the postgame availability since he lost his voice during Friday’s win. “Luckily for me, I don’t have to make those decisions. That’s what we stress to our team, our depth. Being able to rely and count on a number of guys given different circumstances.”
Depth was a big factor behind the Pistons’ success last season. They led the Eastern Conference in part, because they weathered lengthy absences from players such as Cunningham and Jalen Duren. Daniss Jenkins and Paul Reed, in particular, hit big shots in pushing the team to its first 60-win season in nearly three decades.
This year’s iteration of the roster has more proven depth. Isaiah Joe, picked up from Oklahoma City via trade, gives the Pistons an elite shooter who can anchor the spacing when Duncan Robinson sits. Smith, who also exceeded expectations on a two-way contract last year, enters the season as the third big, on a standard contract – no G League time for him. Kevin Huerter, a wing who arrived at the February trade deadline, provides skill on both ends and will play substantial minutes.
Javonte Green and Ron Holland, who led the Pistons in appearances with 82 and 78, respectively, have been stalwarts and big parts of the team’s chaotic defensive identity. Okorie scored 14 points off of the bench in the fourth quarter in Friday’s win and hit the game-winning layup over the Phoenix Suns in the preseason opener on Oct. 5.
Including projected starters John Collins and Ausar Thompson, that’s 13 players. NBA rotations typically run nine or 10 players deep. Bickerstaff often accommodated as many as 11 last season. Going 13-deep is unheard of – and impractical on a 15-person roster. There will be players left out.
“I think our guys have a respect level for each other’s talent in the locker room and they understand that anyone could get called on,” Jack said. “It’s not because you’re not playing well. It can just be a different look, a different skill set. For us, we just use it to our advantage, understanding that maybe some of the stints that the other team’s played won’t be as long, but we play ours long, fast, fierce and physical.”
It could be difficult for Okorie and Smith to get consistent minutes, barring injuries. With Cunningham, Thompson, Duren and Jenkins all handling the ball, the coaching staff could have to prioritize touches for the rookie. For Smith, it likely would take Duren or Reed missing time. Collins also can play small-ball five.
It bodes well for Okorie that he provided quick scoring in the preseason. Against both the Suns and Raptors, he didn’t check in until the fourth quarter but still hit critical shots to clinch wins. Smith, too, came up with rebounds and imposed his physicality on the defense during the first two games, with Duren in street clothes.
“I’d say the biggest thing is just being immersed in the game,” Okorie said of staying ready. “When I’m not in the game, being locked in and making sure I’m focused on the team.
“I watch film with some of the coaches every day and they’re really helping me. For example, if I’m not in the game, just watching film and seeing what I’m doing with the minutes I’m getting has really helped me to be ready and be able to impact the game when I go out.”
Bench depth wins regular-season games, but the team will measure its success by what it accomplishes in the postseason after getting bounced in May by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. The Pistons will need leaps from Duren and Thompson to withstand an improved Eastern Conference and make a deeper push than last season, which ended with a Game 7 loss. The Pistons didn’t trade for a superstar this summer, so their stars will have to be developed from their depth within.
The good news for the Pistons is that both Duren and Thompson looked better during preseason. Thompson confidently handled the ball in transition and the halfcourt offense while knocking down multiple midrange jumpers. And Duren looked like he had something to prove. After scoring 24 points on 8-for-9 shooting Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he finished Friday with 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting (albeit with six turnovers).
Duren, who earned a third-team All-NBA nod last season, arguably already has crossed the “star” threshold, as evidenced by his five-year, $200 million deal, the negotiations of which delayed his start to the preseason. Yet he also has enormous room for growth, after a disappointing playoff run, making his continued development one of the most important factors for the Pistons’ long-term success.
Friday was a good start for Duren, according to Jack.
“He looked really fluid, fast, athletic,” he said. “We’re still rounding him into game shape, that’s probably the bigger marker for us in this whole thing as we approach Tuesday. Getting him comfortable with a few tweaks we put in our offense. But for the most part, we just want JD to be the dominant, physical presence he’s always been, connecting the floor offensively and defensively for us.”
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For openers: Celtics
Matchup: Pistons (60-22 in 2025-26) vs. Boston (56-26 in 2025-26); 2026-27 season opener.
Tipoff: 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20; Little Caesars Arena, Detroit.
TV/radio: NBC; WXYT-FM (97.1).
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Better depth making Detroit Pistons rotation choices extra tough
