Report: Pistons fear Jackson may miss extended time, will look for PG

The Detroit Pistons fear Reggie Jackson may miss an extended period of time to begin the 2016-17 regular season as he deals with tendinitis in his left knee, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

Management will reportedly search the open market for a point guard as a contingency plan.

The 26-year-old was held out of practice Tuesday because of his knee, telling reporters afterward that he's been dealing with tendinitis for years.

Entering the second year of a five-year, $80-million contract he inked with the franchise last summer, Jackson has proven a model of consistency during his stint in the Motor City, sitting just three games since coming over from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Detroit agreed to a three-year, $18-million deal with Ish Smith at the start of free agency. Head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy indicated shortly thereafter that the former Philadelphia 76ers guard would likely serve as the primary backup behind Jackson.

The roster also features guard Ray McCallum, who signed a one-year contract of his own with the Pistons.

Related - Reggie Jackson: Pistons will be 'scary' this season

Guards still floating in the free-agent pool whom management could consider as depth options include Mario Chalmers, Kirk Hinrich, and Steve Blake, who played 58 games for the Pistons in 2015-16.

Jackson averaged a career-high 18.8 points in his first full year in Detroit, along with 6.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 30.7 minutes. The team finished 44-38, good enough for eighth in the Eastern Conference.