Andre Drummond
Mar 29, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Henry Walker (5) and Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) battle for a rebound in the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 109-102. Reuters/Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

With a wide-open race for playoff spots in the relatively weaker Eastern Conference, most teams from that conference are thinking of a hard playoff push and that includes the Stan Van Gundy-led Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons gave point guard Jackson a lucrative long-term deal over the 2015 offseason, a move that signifies their intention to have the young point guard run the team over the next few years.

Expected to be Jackson’s partner-in-crime is versatile and athletic big man Andre Drummond, who is due for a contract extension after the season and expected to have a similar lucrative offer as Jackson if the forward/centre plays well enough in the upcoming season.

Reggie Jackson
Mar 21, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) defended by Chicago Bulls guard Aaron Brooks (0) during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Bulls 107-91. Reuters/Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Jackson signed a five-year deal worth $80 million (AU $110.8 million) over the summer despite the Pistons already having Brandon Jennings in the roster. Jennings is coming off a major injury and word out of Detroit is that Van Gundy plans a small backcourt of Jackson-Jennings when the latter recovers from his injury.

After seeing limited time with his previous team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jackson exploded for 17.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game in his first full start in the league.

Andre Drummond
Apr 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) fights with Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) for the ball during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 109-97. Reuters/Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

In their frontline, the Pistons will be led by Drummond, who averaged a double-double of 13.8 points, 13.5 rebounds plus 1.9 blocked shots per game last season.

With the departure of previous starting centre Greg Monroe, who joined the Milwaukee Bucks via free agency, Drummond’s role with the team expected to grow, as he’s the lone reliable big man inside on both ends of the floor.

Ersan Ilyasova
Nov 18, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) takes a shot against New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire (1) in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Reuters/Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Helping out Jackson and Jennings in the backcourt and wings are a bunch of role players including Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jodie Meeks, Marcus Morris and rookie Stanley Johnson.

The frontcourt features the likes of Ersan Ilyasova and Anthony Tolliver, both of whom can be effective “stretch fours” that can clear the space inside for Drummond. Ilyasova, who is expected to start alongside Drummond, had efficient averages of 11.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season with the Milwaukee Bucks.

2015-2016 Detroit Pistons Projected Depth Chart:
Point Guards: Reggie Jackson/Brandon Jennings/Steve Blake/Spencer Dinwiddie
Shooting Guards: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope/Jodie Meeks/Darrun Hilliard
Small Forwards: Marcus Morris/Stanley Johnson/Reggie Bullock
Power Forwards: Ersan Ilyasova/Anthony Tolliver
Centres: Andre Drummond/Aron Baynes/Joel Anthony

Other 2015-2016 NBA Season Team Previews:
Miami Heat aim to get back in thick of things in the East
Paul, Griffin and Jordan lead reloaded Los Angeles Clippers
Playoffs a tough task for rebuilding LA Lakers

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