Pistons' Van Gundy: Jackson will be out 'a while'

The Detroit Pistons are planning to begin the upcoming 2016-17 regular season without starting point guard Reggie Jackson running the offense.

Head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy told reporters Wednesday that the 26-year-old "is going to be out for a while" as he deals with tendinitis in his left knee.

While surgery isn't likely, Van Gundy said Jackson could miss upward of six-to-eight weeks if he elects to use a platelet-rich plasma treatment, but that decision will ultimately be left up to Jackson himself.

"I feel comfortable with Ish (Smith at starting point guard)," Van Gundy added.

Smith signed a three-year, $18-million contract with the Pistons over the offseason. He averaged 14.6 points, seven assists, and 4.1 rebounds on 43.7 percent shooting as a 2015-16 starter for the Philadelphia 76ers.

It was previously reported that Detroit would search the open market to add depth at the position with Jackson out, although Van Gundy says a trade isn't likely since the team may not need to go without Jackson for very long.

Backing up Smith for the time being would be Ray McCallum, who inked a one-year contract of his own with the franchise in July.

The Pistons finished last season with a 44-38 record, falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening round of the playoffs in a four-game sweep.