Detroit Pistons: 3 roster battles to watch in 2018-19

1. Starting SF

Stanley Johnson is the former eighth overall pick who is coming off yet another disappointing season. He was drafted to be this team’s 3-and-D wing of the future. However, his shot has yet to come along.

Glenn Robinson III was signed in free agency on a team-friendly deal, and he can push Johnson for the starting job. While he isn’t as strong on the defensive end, he is a much better shooter on offense.

Johnson will be given the inside track to start. He has greater athleticism and the higher ceiling than GRIII does. There are also a lot of similarities between him and the former player of Casey’s, DeMar DeRozan. His athleticism allows him to get to the rim with ease. On the defensive end, he can match up well with the majority of offensive wing options in the NBA. He played strongly against LeBron James as a rookie in the playoffs, and he’s only gotten stronger.

Robinson is similar to Johnson in that his athleticism and slashing ability are his biggest strengths. However, he is also a decent shooter from 3-point range, shooting 38.2 percent for his career.

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The area he has a disadvantage against Johnson is size. Johnson outweighs him by about 20 pounds and is an inch taller. While Johnson will be the favorite to be the starter, Robinson could easily snatch the job with a strong summer.