The Reggie Jackson news isn’t great, but it’s a lot less than catastrophic. Worst-case scenario: He could miss six to eight weeks. And that’s if he chooses a course of treatment for his left knee tendinitis that could prove best for keeping it from recurring.
Jackson has dealt with the situation for pretty much all of his NBA career. It flared up on him late this summer and he came to Auburn Hills in early September reporting pain in the left knee. The Pistons limited him to one practice during the two-a-days of training camp to attempt to manage the pain.
“He’s also got a bone bruise in there now which would’ve required him to have some rest, anyway, but the tendinitis is a problem that keeps recurring,” Stan Van Gundy said after Wednesday’s practice. “He’s got several options. As you would expect, some of the options that are best long term will take longer in terms of (rehabilitation) time.”
The Pistons have consulted with doctors who presented a number of options. The decision is in Jackson’s hands and will be made in the next day or two, Van Gundy said.
As for what the Pistons do in the meantime … probably nothing, at least as far as the roster is concerned.
“It would be tough for us to do something,” Van Gundy said. “We either have to make a trade or cut somebody with a guaranteed contract. Jeff (Bower, general manager) and our scouts, their eyes are wide open watching all the exhibition games. There are a couple of rosters you can look at where maybe there are some guys you like that could get cut, but I don’t think there’s a big-ticket move out there for us and I don’t think we’re going to blow up everything long term for a month or less of games.”
Van Gundy said it was very likely Jackson would miss at least the first four preseason games. Ish Smith will start in his absence with Ray McCallum and Lorenzo Brown – battling for what was assumed to be the final roster berth – getting a greater opportunity to stake their case for the No. 3 point guard role behind him.
Getting a longer look at those two to inform that roster decision is one of three silver linings Van Gundy cited. He also says the defensive urgency he’s preached will be more likely taken to heart with the loss of the team’s leading scorer and the player around whom the offense revolved; and the diversity he’s attempted to inject into the offense with more action for Tobias Harris, Marcus Morris and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will be brought to the forefront.
“I’m not saying this is a good situation and I like it this way,” he said. “I’d rather have Reggie out there. But in any situation, there are silver linings.”
The Pistons will open the preseason at Brooklyn on Thursday night and Van Gundy says he anticipates playing 10 players for sure, perhaps a few more late in the game depending on the situation.
We’ll have more on Jackson’s situation and related news as it develops.