Daniss Jenkins to start for injured Ausar Thompson

Reed made his third consecutive start with Jalen Duren (hamstring) out of the lineup. He followed up his 22-point performance against the Knicks with another solid effort against the Hornets. Reed had 16 points on seven attempts, made both of his three-point attempts and had four stocks. He should be started in all formats until Duren returns.

Thompson played on Tuesday after missing Sunday’s game, and he should be good to go for the second leg of this back-to-back. Daniss Jenkins, who started in place of Thompson on Sunday, should continue to play a reserve role.

Making a second consecutive start for the injured Jalen Duren (hamstring), Reed was hot to start Tuesday’s game. Shooting 5-of-6 from the field, he was responsible for 13 points, three rebounds, three assists, one steal and one blocked shot in the first quarter. Unfortunately for Reed and the Pistons, he went quiet in the second and third quarters, totaling one less foul (four) than points (five) in those periods. As long as Duren’s out, Reed is a must-roster player in fantasy leagues.

Thompson is back after sitting out Sunday’s win over the 76ers. He’ll take on the task of defending Jalen Brunson, while Daniss Jenkins returns to the bench.

Thompson missed Sunday’s game against the 76ers after injuring his ankle on Friday. Daniss Jenkins replaced him in the starting lineup, with Ron Holland II and Javonte Green taking on larger roles off the bench. The rotation would likely be similar if Ausar remains out, with Jenkins being the preferred streaming option.

Jenkins started Sunday’s game for the injured Ausar Thompson and, as he did on multiple occasions last season, gave the Pistons solid minutes in that role. Jenkins’ final stat line lacked only a steal, as he was impactful on both ends of the floor. Detroit begins Week 2 with a Tuesday/Wednesday back-to-back, making it possible Jenkins gets another start in one of those games (if not both, if Thompson remains out).

Duren was injured in the second quarter of Friday’s win over the Heat and did not return to the game. With the Pistons’ starting center sidelined for at least two weeks, now is the time to add Paul Reed if he’s sitting on the waiver wire. In 26 minutes on Friday, Reed tallied 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Pistons, who visit the 76ers on Sunday.

Duren exited early from Friday’s win over the Heat, and that injury will keep him out against Philadelphia. Paul Reed should get the starting nod in his place after contributing 19 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes against Miami. He should be considered high-priority streaming option until Duren returns.

It’s challenging to draw any firm conclusions as the Pistons were without both Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren in this exhibition contest. Jenkins stepped into the starting lineup in place of Cunningham and knocked down 3-of-5 shots from three-point range while also dishing out four assists. He’ll remain on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues at the outset of the season, but he showed last year that he can be an impactful fantasy contributor if Cunningham were to miss significant time due to injury. His main competitor for rotation minutes, first-rounder Ebuka Okorie, scored 14 points in 26 minutes off the bench in this one.

Duren is still embroiled in contract negotiations after turning down a $200 million deal from Detroit, and he could be headed toward signing a $9.6 million qualifying offer. The deadline to sign the qualifying offer is Thursday, and if Duren pursues that option, he would become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Sacramento has been linked to Duren as a team that would potentially pay him what he wants, but he could entertain offers from other suitors. John Collins is an interesting later-round flier in standard leagues, and Paul Reed makes a fine pick in deeper leagues.