Detroit Pistons: 3 players most likely to be traded in 2018-19

3. Reggie Jackson

This offseason, the Pistons started looking towards the future with the drafting of Bruce Brown Jr. The writing is on the wall for the incumbent Reggie Jackson. With two seasons left on his current deal, the goal for Jackson this season is to recoup some of his lost value in order for the Pistons to trade him for more assets. Without elite athleticism, passing or shooting ability, Jackson is of a dying breed of point guards.

Jackson is great at driving to the basket and finishing at the rim, despite lacking elite size or athleticism. For the Pistons, the remainder of Jackson’s prime doesn’t fit with the team’s timeline. Their primary focus should be on developing Brown, who represents a more team-friendly play style than Jackson with his willingness to pass. He’s also a better on-ball defender with better athleticism.

The Pistons lack an above-average small forward as things stand right now. They have their first-round pick in next year’s draft, but a healthy Jackson could possibly net them another. He’s not the super sub that became a starter in the absence of Russell Westbrook, but he can still be a fringe All-Star when he’s playing well. Brown is the future of the franchise, and the longer Jackson sticks around, the more Brown’s development is slowed.