The Detroit Pistons’ final preseason tune-up comes with a built-in stress test.
Tonight’s matchup with the Toronto Raptors is the last chance before things get real next week, and it should offer a useful look at how Detroit handles a roster packed with big wings. The Pistons looked sharp in their previous game with Jalen Duren back in the lineup, and they’ll try to keep that momentum going, even if the regulars see limited minutes.
Toronto brings a look that can bother Detroit: three big wing players who can create mismatches all over the floor. That makes this a clean early exam for a Pistons team that has already been labeled undersized in some areas.
Duncan Robinson and John Collins are the two names that stand out most in that regard. Robinson figures to be a target no matter how Detroit sorts the matchups, and while that may not matter much tonight because he probably won’t play a heavy load, it is the kind of issue that will follow the Pistons into the season. He can help himself by forcing defenders to chase him around the floor and battle through screens on the other end, but opponents will come after him.
If Robinson starts getting burned, Detroit could also lean on Ron Holland, which would create a look at the Pistons' most challenging duo if he shares the floor with Ausar Thompson.
On the other side of the floor, John Collins appears set to get an early defensive challenge of his own. The Raptors will likely put him on Scottie Barnes, a matchup that will show whether Collins can handle an athletic, mobile power forward.
Barnes can drag bigger players into uncomfortable spots, and Collins will have to prove he can stay in front of quicker fours who move like wings. The key question is whether he can keep Barnes out of the paint.
That would be a meaningful step for Collins, especially since Tobias Harris was not an elite defender but did bring smart team defense and strength, along with a knack for keeping players from getting to their spots. Collins has to show he can do enough of that work without becoming a defensive liability.
The Pistons do have matchup edges of their own, and the biggest one is Cade Cunningham. Just as Detroit may have to find a way to hide Robinson, Toronto will be searching for ways to cover Immanuel Quickley without putting him directly on Cade, which could leave a weakness somewhere else.
If teams try to stash their point guard on Ausar Thompson, Thompson has to make them pay by attacking the lane himself or collapsing the defense. That’s part of the equation Detroit wants to see more of.
And then there’s Jalen Duren. This should be a spot where he can take over, with Toronto likely struggling to keep him away from the rim on either end. Detroit has its own advantages in this one, even if the spotlight is on the Raptors’ size and versatility.
In Other News...
Pistons Could Turn One Longtime Weakness Into A Real Deadline Strength
The Pistons spent the offseason trying to chip away at one of their longtime offensive weak spots, bringing in John Collins, Isaiah Joe and Taurean Prince to help raise the level of their perimeter shooting. Cade Cunningham and Duncan Robinson already give Detroit a pair of respected outside threats, and the early message from the front office has been clear: this is a team that wants to make opponents pay for collapsing the floor.
With the trade deadline approaching, Detroit is once again being tied to a list of high-end shooters that would fit that plan, including Trey Murphy III, Cam Johnson, Michael Porter Jr., Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. The question now is not whether the Pistons would welcome more shooting, but which names might actually become available and whether they can turn that ongoing search into a real deadline advantage. [Read more 🡒]
Hornets Suddenly Face A Tidjane Salaun Decision They Can't Dodge
The Hornets are heading toward roster cuts before the deadline, and Tidjane Salaun has become one of the names worth watching. The young forward flashed enough in preseason to keep some intrigue around him, but NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Charlotte may not see a clear path for him in its rotation plans. For a player still early in his NBA development, that puts him in a tricky spot as the Hornets sort through how to trim the roster while keeping an eye on future value.
Detroit is among the teams mentioned in the speculation around Salaun, along with Portland, as front offices weigh fit, upside and the cost of making a move. Nothing appears close, and the conversations remain hypothetical for now, but the fact that Salauns name is already circulating says plenty about where Charlotte stands. The Hornets seem to be deciding not just whether to keep him, but whether another team might be willing to bet on his potential instead. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Preseason Is Already Shaking Up Detroits Rotation Battle
Detroits preseason has already offered a clear glimpse at how the rotation could be taking shape, and Jalen Duren and Ron Holland II were among the biggest winners. Both looked ready to push for meaningful roles heading into the regular season, giving the Pistons some encouraging early signs as they sort through a deeper, more competitive roster. For a team trying to establish clarity before opening night, those kinds of performances matter.
Paul Reed and Daniss Jenkins are on the other side of the equation, fighting to make their case in a crowded mix of options. With competition tightening and their preseason showings leaving more to be desired, both are facing an uphill climb for steady minutes. The Pistons still have decisions to make, but the early battle is already pointing toward which players are helping themselves and which ones need a strong finish to stay in the conversation. [Read more 🡒]