3 reasons Detroit Pistons won’t make the 2019 NBA Playoffs

3. Injuries

While banking on players becoming injured to knock them out of the playoffs is not good practice, the Pistons have multiple players that make that a very reasonable possibility. Blake Griffin and Reggie Jackson are expected to start and play major minutes, but they could quickly come down with any number of injuries. Griffin has only played all 82 games once, in his first season. Jackson has never done it.

Another player that figures to play major minutes is Reggie Bullock. Last season’s 62 games was a career best. He has struggled to stay healthy every season of his career. While it’s possible that changes and he stays healthy this season, he hasn’t shown the ability to do that yet. Bullock should be the team’s first or second option from 3-point range, along with Luke Kennard, and his absence could quickly cause spacing issues for players like Griffin, Jackson and Andre Drummond.

The Pistons have the ability to be a good team this season, and they can cause a lot of teams trouble with their size up front. However, it’s very possible they won’t see their true ceiling this season due to players being unavailable. Casey has gotten good at adapting to missing key players, as Kyle Lowry has dealt with a myriad of injuries in the past, and he may have to do it now in Detroit.