Detroit Pistons' 2020-21 roster outlook: Who's staying and who's gone

The resumption of play in the NBA seems a long way off as the nation deals with the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The league is still hopeful of crowning a champion and is looking at several scenarios, including the cancellation of remaining regular-season games and going straight to the playoffs. 

The Detroit Pistons had 16 games remaining in their lottery-bound season when play was halted.

Assuming the regular season might already be over for them, let's take a look at each position and what it might look like next season:

The market:Pistons have money to spend, so what should they do this offseason? 

The draft:Pistons track to having high pick; these mocks have them taking a star

The voice:In quarantine, George Blaha recharged his soul

Point guard

2019-20: The Pistons began the season with a one-two punch of Reggie Jackson and Derrick Rose and added another veteran, Tim Frazier, as insurance. They also retained rookie Jordan Bone, a late second-round pick, on a two-way contract.

Jackson's back gave out two games into the season and he didn't return until late January. Rose was one of the team's bright spots, keeping the team in most games with his explosive moves to the basket. Frazier was ineffective and eventually placed on waivers.

Jackson's contract was bought out after the trade deadline and former Piston Brandon Knight was acquired in the Andre Drummond deal with Cleveland. Knight had some good moments before the hiatus.

Outlook: Rose has one more year on the two-year free-agent contract he signed last season. He could be traded in the offseason, but it's more likely he'll be kept around to help groom a young guard.

That will likely come through the draft. There are several point guards projected to go in the top 10, where the Pistons will be picking; they hit the hiatus at No. 5 in lottery order. Alternatively, they could use a chunk of their cap space to make a run at Toronto's Fred VanVleet, the top unrestricted free-agent point guard on the market.

Knight is an unrestricted free agent but the Pistons likely wouldn't be interested unless he was willing to be the No. 3 option on a minimum deal. Bone could be an option as well.

Shooting guard

2019-20: Bruce Brown had a solid second season despite some struggles when thrust into the starting point guard role after Jackson's injury. A favorite of coach Dwane Casey for his work ethic, toughness, versatility and defensive prowess, Brown averaged 28.2 minutes a game and showed some growth at the offensive end.

Langston Galloway provided a steady presence and 3-point threat off the bench. Galloway was the only player on the Pistons' injury-riddled squad to appear in every game.

Jordan McRae was plucked off waivers in early March and averaged 11.8 points in four games with the Pistons.

Another second-year player, Khyri Thomas, missed most of the season with a foot injury.

[These 2020 NBA draft top prospects might help the Pistons]

Outlook: Brown is considered a long-term piece. Galloway and McRae head into unrestricted free agency and the Pistons may try to bring one of them back if the price is right. It's uncertain whether they'll keep Thomas, who got healthy shortly before the hiatus.

Small forward

2019-20: Luke Kennard began the season with a bang, erupting for a career-high 30 points. For the next six weeks, Kennard continued to impress as a scorer and playmaker. Then tendinitis set in in both knees, shortly before the holidays, and he didn't play again.

Tony Snell was acquired in the offseason to give the club a taller wing who could also stretch the defense on a playoff-caliber team. It wasn't his fault that the season fell apart.

Svi Mykhailiuk took advantage of increased opportunities in his second NBA season and showed he can provide more than just 3-point shooting. He displayed the ability to be a primary ballhandler in spurts and attack the rim.

Rookie Louis King spent most of his season with the Grand Rapids Drive.

[Catch these classic Pistons games on FSD this week]

Outlook: The Pistons have to decide whether to pursue extension talks with Kennard or allow him to become a restricted free agent next offseason. He could also be moved at some point, but probably not this year, as his trade value is reduced until he proves his knees are sound.

Snell has one year left on his contract and will almost assuredly opt in. His $12.2 million expiring contract should come in handy in trade discussions.

Mykhailiuk will be back. King could also return, perhaps on another two-way deal.

Power forward

2019-20: Blake Griffin's season was a washout. He missed the first 10 games with hamstring and knee injuries, wasn't his usual All-Star self when he returned, then underwent season-ending knee surgery in January.

Markieff Morris was signed to a two-year contract as a free agent, but had an inconsistent year, then agreed to a buyout after the trade deadline.

Sekou Doumbouya, the team's first-round pick in June and the league's youngest player this season, was supposed to spend most of the season in the G League. Instead, he spent most of it with the Pistons after Griffin went to sideline in December. Following a strong opening eight-game stint, Doumbouya struggled the remainder of the season.

Outlook: Griffin has two more years remaining on his max deal, including a $39 million player option for the 2021-22 season. When he returns to action, he'll be in an awkward spot as a veteran star on a rebuilding club. Shedding his contract in a trade will be nearly impossible unless he returns to his 2018-19 form.

The experience that Doumbouya gained should serve him well. Still, don't expect him to play a ton next season. He'd be better off building his confidence as a second-unit player behind Griffin.

Center

2019-20: Drummond was once again leading the league in rebounding when he was traded. He was missed — the Pistons won just once in 13 games after the trade — but they now have financial flexibility this offseason.

Christian Wood, acquired off waivers last summer, forced his way into the rotation and showed uncommon skill and confidence. He only got better as his playing time grew after Drummond's departure.

Thon Maker bounced in and out of the rotation, and John Henson, also acquired in the Drummond deal, received some starts. Both have limitations in their overall games.

Outlook: This is the spot with the most uncertainty. Wood will be a coveted free agent. He says he'll give the Pistons special consideration because they allowed him to blossom, but how much will he cost?

The Pistons can give Maker a $4.86 million qualifying offer and make him a restricted free agent. It's likely they'll decline that option and allow him to test the market. Henson will also be an unrestricted free agent.

If the Pistons don't draft a point guard with their pick, they could go after a big like Memphis' James Wiseman if he's still on the board. The best-case scenario is to re-sign Wood and add a veteran to back him up on a low-cost deal.