Everything of Importance from Pistons Open Practice

Photo: Zariq Turner/BullyBall

The Detroit Pistons welcomed a sizeable number of fans to Little Caesars Arena on Sunday afternoon, just before the Detroit Lions kicked off, for an open practice event. 

Nearly every Piston participated, including Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, who both missed the team’s last preseason game on Thursday. Monte Morris, who hasn’t appeared in either of Detroit’s first two preseason games, was also active in practice. 

Bojan Bogdanovic and Isaiah Livers remained out. Marvin Bagley did not participate either. 

First Five Out

Leading off in all drills was the Pistons starting lineup from its first preseason game: Cunningham, Alec Burks, Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Stewart, and Duren. 

A Final Roster Spot Challenger

Stanley Umude, a 6’6 forward who spent last season with the Motor City Cruise, joined Detroit’s roster mainstays in the second unit during drills. There was also a third lineup consisting of players on two-way contracts or Exhibit-10 deals, but Umude played with the second unit after a strong performance in Detroit’s preseason win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Perhaps Umude is gaining steam for Detroit’s 15th and final roster spot, which remains open less than two weeks until the start of the regular season. 

From the Locker Room

Following the open practice, Monty Williams spoke about where the team was at heading into the season:

When asked about how big he intends to expand the rotation, Williams said he’d likely only go with a 10-man rotation. 

“To play 11 guys is really hard,” said Williams. “You can do it but it’s probably for special situations, say you want to go big/big, or you wanted to go with three small guards or five smalls. Those combinations may allow for more numbers (in the rotation).”

Ausar Thompson, who has started both preseason games so far, seems to be one of the definites in Williams’ rotation, perhaps even as one of the team’s starting wings on opening night against the Miami Heat. The rookie’s defensive chops have stood out and helped him earn a significant role early in his career. In two preseason games, he’s guarded the likes of Devin Booker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a task Thompson wants and knows he needs to improve moving forward.

“It’s sunk in and that’s the most exciting thing for me, that they trust me to go out there and guard those guys,” Thompson said. “Those are the guys I want and I know those are the guys that are going to make me better and help me learn more.

The Pistons will play its penultimate preseason game on Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With less than 10 days separating the Pistons and the beginning of the season, Williams and his staff will have to make some tough final decisions soon on the rotation, who is in, and who is out.

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