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.
