2015-16 NBA Season Preview: Detroit Pistons

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Detroit Pistons

2014-15

Offseason Roundup

Re-signed Reggie Jackson (5/$80M)

Projected Starting 5

• PG Reggie Jackson
• SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
• SF Marcus Morris
• PF Ersan Ilyasova
• C Andre Drummond

MVP: Andre Drummond

After a rather underwhelming, albeit brief, college stint at Connecticut, Drummond wasted no time in proving his doubters wrong, as the 22-year-old has managed to put together career averages of 12.1 points (57.1 FG percent), 11.8 rebounds, 1.7 blocks with a 22 PER over his three-year pro career.

Averaging a double-double in each of the last two seasons, the 6-foot-10 center has demonstrated the ability to dominate games - on both sides of the ball - as long as it was within a close proximity of the hoop.

In 2014-15, 68 percent of AD's field-goal attempts came from within three feet of the basket. This figure, however, was less than that of his previous campaign which saw the big man shooting more than 80 percent of his shots from the same distance. This statistical regression can be viewed as a plus for him, and for Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy, as it illustrates Drummond's willingness - and growing ability - to extend his range.

Drummond was also a beast on the offensive boards last season, grabbing a league-leading 437 rebounds, giving his team ample opportunities at second chance points.

On the other end of the floor, Drummond finished last season ranked third in total defensive rebounds (667) and fifth in total blocks (153).

These numbers bode well for the Pistons' rapidly evolving centerpiece, as he projects to become a first-time All-Star in 2015-16.

Breakout Player: Reggie Jackson

Jackson has proven that he can score with ease throughout his latter years with the Oklahoma City Thunder - 13.1 points in 2013-14 - and part of last season with the Pistons - 17.6 points in 27 games.

However, it is his versatility which tempted Van Gundy - who serves as the team's president in addition to bench boss duties - to reward the 6-foot-3 floor general with a handsome new contract.

After arriving to the Motor City in February as part of a three-team trade, Jackson complemented his scoring numbers with 4.7 rebounds and a whopping 9.2 assists per game. As a result of such increases in productivity, Jackson's PER rose from a moderate 15.6 (pre-trade) to 19.8.

With Brandon Jennings supposedly willing to come off the bench, autonomy over the starting unit belongs to Jackson. With such control and free rein, Jackson will have the chance to improve upon his solid flashes from last season.

Caldwell-Pope is another candidate for this distinction, however, he has provided little else other than high-volume 3-point shooting thus far - 45 percent of his shots in 2014-15 came from beyond the arc.

The Pistons shooting guard would need to become more well-rounded to supplant Jackson for breakout player honors.

Season Expectations

While the Pistons finished fourth last in the Eastern Conference in 2014-15, they also finished only six games behind eighth-seeded Brooklyn Nets.

If the team had squeezed into the playoffs last season, it would not have been a total head-scratcher.

The loss of Monroe might seem like a major detriment to a team trying to climb back to respectability, however, the departure of the newly minted Buck may provide Drummond with some much needed freedom in the paint.

The additions of Ilyasova and rookie Stanley Johnson along with the return of a healthy Jennings may be just what the doctor ordered as postseason aspirations for the Michigan-based franchise becomes more feasible in 2015-16.