The Detroit Pistons franchise has an illustrious history, but over recent years there have been times of utter disappointment. The 2015-16 Pistons team is a young, talented group of guys who can put up solid fantasy stats for us. Center Andre Drummond leads this Detroit team into this season as the top fantasy option on the squad. From Drummond to Reggie Jackson, the Pistons should be a team to look at during your upcoming fantasy basketball drafts.
So, here we go with my 2015-16 Detroit Pistons fantasy team preview:
Reggie Jackson, PG
For the first few years of Jackson’s career, he served as the backup point guard to Russell Westbrook. When Westbrook was injured, though, Jackson stepped into the starting five and really showed what he had to offer as a player. In just 27 games with the Pistons last season, Jackson averaged 17.6 points, 9.2 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. Over those games, he averaged 32.2 minutes per game, which gives him plenty of times to stuff our fantasy stat sheets!
Jackson does have a few flaws in his game, though. He is a career 29.4 percent shooter from three-point range and has a very hard time getting to the free-throw line. When Jackson did reach the charity stripe, he only made 79 percent of his free-throws last year. He also averaged right at 3.5 turnovers per game in 2014-15, which needs to be addressed as well. The question with Jackson is, does the positives out weight the negatives? I believe they do and will be targeting him for my fantasy squads in his first full season in Detroit.
Fantasy Prediction for 2015-16
19.0 points, 10.0 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG
Caldwell-Pope is a very interesting sleeper option at the shooting guard position in 2015-16. Last season, he averaged 12.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He shot a low average of 69 percent from the free-throw line and 40 percent from the field in 31.5 minutes per game last year also. Can he step up this year? He has all the talent in the world and with this plethora of young talent around him, I truly believe he can.
This Summer, it seems that Caldwell-Pope has finally figured out the Stan Van Gundy offense. Van Gundy has stated that he’s been one of the best players during training camp this off-season. He has shot right at 60 percent in three training camp scrimmages and seems to look more comfortable making plays coming off of screens. Caldwell-Pope is a guy you need to put on your watch list coming into your fantasy basketball drafts.
Fantasy Prediction for 2015-16
14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game
Marcus Morris, SF
Morris has spent the last couple of seasons with the Phoenix Suns where he put up solid stat lines, but now he will be playing his first season with the Pistons. Last season, he averaged 10.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1. 6 assists per game. Coach Van Gundy has said that Morris has been impressive this off-season and really showed that he can beat defenders off the dribble. He will be inserted into the Pistons’ starting lineup in 2015-16, so there will be plenty of opportunities for him to get us all fantasy points.
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Morris does leave behind his twin brother Markieff Morris in Phoenix, though, which has caused much controversy this off-season. The Morris brothers are a force to be reckoned with together, but how will they perform separated? This will be Marcus’ real chance to shine for the first time in his NBA career. I think he will be a buy low guy that could make an impact on your fantasy squads this season!
Fantasy Prediction for 2015-16
12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game
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