Pistons' Ish Smith: Expected to open season in starting role

Smith is expected to open the season as the Pistons' starting point guard following the news that Reggie Jackson (knee) could be sidelined for six-to-eight weeks, Rod Beard of The Detroit News reports.

Analysis:

Jackson's timetable is far from ironclad, but coach Stan Van Gundy acknowledged that the 26-year-old will likely be sidelined through the start of the regular season, leaving Smith as the team's top alternative. The Pistons are expected to explore the trade or free-agent market to bolster their depth at the position, but it's unlikely that they would have the capital to find a player who would profile as a better starting option than Smith, who thrived in that role with the Sixers last season. In his 50 games with Philadelphia after coming over in a trade from New Orleans, Smith averaged 14.7 points (on 40.5% shooting), 7.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 32.4 minutes per game. He'll likely struggle to replicate those numbers while deferring more to others as he joins a starting lineup that's far stronger than last season's 10-win 76ers team, but Smith should produce well enough to hold down a roster spot in deeper fantasy leagues.