Detroit is coming off the best season the franchise has had in a generation: 60 wins and its first playoff series victory in 18 years. The roster changed a lot in the offseason. Isaiah Stewart, Tobias Harris and Caris LeVert are gone, and J.B. Bickerstaff now has John Collins, Taurean Prince, the shooter Isaiah Joe and first-round pick Ebuka Okorie to fit around Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson. Monday is the first look at how those pieces work together.
The biggest Pistons story isn't on the floor. As of September 30, Jalen Duren was a restricted free agent who hadn't signed his qualifying offer, skipped media day and hadn't reported to camp. He reportedly turned down a 5-year, $200 million guaranteed offer while eligible for a max deal worth $287 million. The Athletic's Hunter Patterson raised the possibility that Duren misses preseason and even regular-season games if the two sides can't agree. Detroit has also reportedly been reluctant to even discuss a sign-and-trade, though Sacramento and Milwaukee are said to be interested. If he's not on the floor Monday, Collins and the rest of the frontcourt get a long early run.
That makes the same question the main story on both benches. Phoenix is trying to find out whether a young center can handle starting minutes, and Detroit is trying to find out how much of a 60-win identity holds up without its starting center, or without him in rhythm. Expect starters to play limited minutes and the fourth quarter to belong to camp invites. The useful information comes early: who Ott sends out at center, and how Bickerstaff staggers Collins next to Cunningham.
Tipoff is 7:00 PM ET. Nobody's record changes on Monday night, but both teams leave with answers they don't have yet. Phoenix should know more about its rotation in the middle, and Detroit should know whether its new wings and shooters can cover for the empty spot by the rim.