Meet the Pistons: James Hawkins’ player analysis

G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope -- Age: 23. Ht./Wt.: 6-5/205. 2015-16: 76 games, 14.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists. Caldwell-Pope quietly goes about his business as the team’s most reliable and consistent two-way player. He helps set the tempo as one of the league's top perimeter defenders and can do a little bit of everything. He's in line to earn a big contract and his stats have improved each of the past three seasons -- but he has room to grow as a 3-point shooter.

G Michael Gbinije -- Age: 24. Ht./Wt.: 6-7/200. 2015-16 (Syracuse): 37 games, 17.5 points, 4.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds. The second-round pick has impressed with is rapid progress and ability to quickly pick things up, particularly on defense. Gbinije's 3-pointer is improving and his all-around versatility could squeeze himself into the wing rotation, with some time with the D-League Grand Rapids Drive.

G Darrun Hilliard -- Age: 23. Ht./Wt.: 6-6/205. 2015-16: 38 games, 4 points, 1.2 rebounds, 10.1 minutes. Hilliard is working his way back from a stress fracture in his lower back that kept him out for the Summer League. He showed flashes last season as a playmaker off the dribble and will likely be competing for playing time off the bench in the logjam of wings.

PG Reggie Jackson -- Age: 26. Ht./Wt.: 6-3/208. 2015-16: 79 games, 18.8 points, 6.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds. Jackson flourished in his first full season as a starter and rose to the occasion, finishing as the leading scorer. He battled through some ailments last year and his production will be missed for 10-20 games as he rehabs from knee tendinitis, but he’ll need to remain healthy when he returns if Pistons are going to make a run at the playoffs.

PG Ish Smith -- Age: 28. Ht./Wt.: 6-0/175. 2015-16 (Pelicans/76ers): 77 games, 12.6 points, 6.5 assists, 4 rebounds. Smith gives the Pistons a reliable backup point guard who can create shots for himself and others, something the team lacked a year ago. He’s quick, excels in transition and his previous starting experience is a major plus as he fills in for Reggie Jackson for the first 10-20 games. His jump shot will have to improve to keep defenses honest.

G Beno Udrih – Age: 34. Ht./Wt.: 6-4/203. 2015-16 (Grizzlies/Heat): 4.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 16.1 minutes. Udrih was claimed two days before the start of the season, but brings 12 years of experience and veteran savvy that earned him the late nod over Ray McCallum Jr. He won two titles with the San Antonio Spurs early in his career and should be able to step in and quickly learn the offense. He’s had mixed success but coach Stan Van Gundy prefers his extended experience over other attributes, especially for 15-20 games, while Reggie Jackson is out.

F Reggie Bullock -- Age: 25. Ht./Wt.: 6-7/205. 2015-16: 37 games, 3.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 11.6 minutes. Bullock struggled early last season, shooting 1-for-19 in his first 17 appearances, but finished strong and was one of the team’s top producers and perimeter shooters off the bench. With an improved reserve unit and plenty of depth on the wings, he needs to pick up from where he left off if he wants to be a regular contributor.

Henry Ellenson - The first-round pick has seen more game action in the D-League than with the Pistons, but Stan Van Gundy has the luxury of bringing him along slowly. GRADE: Incomplete

F Tobias Harris -- Age: 24. Ht./Wt.: 6-9/235. 2015-16 (Magic/Pistons): 76 games, 14.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists. Harris made a seamless transition after being acquired in the trade with the Magic. With an entire offseason to jell and build chemistry, he could play a more prominent role in the offense and be a go-to scorer in Jackson's absence. Along with Marcus Morris, he's becoming a respected voice in the locker room.

F Stanley Johnson -- Age: 20. Ht./Wt.: 6-7/245. 2015-16: 73 games, 8.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 23.1 minutes. Johnson has plenty of upside following a solid rookie campaign as the sixth man, although he struggled to return to form after suffering a shoulder injury. He’s a bulldog on defense and doesn’t shy away from a challenge but needs to improve his shooting touch and decision-making on offense.

F Jon Leuer -- Age: 27. Ht./Wt.: 6-10/228. 2015-16 (Suns): 67 games, 8.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 18.7 minutes. Acquired in the offseason, Leuer made 27 starts in Phoenix and is coming off his best season in his five-year career. He has the ability to stretch the floor as a knock-down 3-point threat and can create his own shot inside the arc. Leuer provides flexibility and will play a key role on the retooled bench, which struggled mightily last season.

F Marcus Morris -- Age: 27. Ht./Wt.: 6-9/235. 2015-16: 80 games, 14.1 points, 5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 36.3 percent on 3-pointers. Morris thrived in his first full-time starting role and logged the second-most minutes. He’s a physical defender who stepped up as a leader and offers versatility on offense with a solid mid-range and 3-point shot. He can play either forward spot but has been limited in preseason by mild knee tendinitis.

C Aron Baynes -- Age: 29. Ht./Wt.: 6-10/260. 2015-16: 81 games, 6.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 50.5 field-goal percentage, 15.2 minutes. Baynes provides valuable minutes and has proven he can help close out games if Andre Drummond’s free-throw shooting woes continue. He’s brings a physical presence and is lauded by his teammates as one of the best pick-setters in the league and has a reliable perimeter game.

C Andre Drummond -- Age: 23. Ht./Wt.: 6-11/279. 2015-16: 81 games, 16.2 points, 14.8 rebounds, 52.1 field-goal percentage. The Pistons invested heavily in the first-time All-Star as the franchise’s centerpiece with a five-year, $127 million contract. He’s one of the league’s best rim runners and rebounders and has boosted his low-post game. However, he needs to shoot a respectable percentage from the free-throw line to make him an asset – and not a liability – in crunch time.