DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons are entering 2025 training camp with — nearly — a clean bill of health.
President of basketball operations Trajan Langdon announced during the team’s media day on Monday that the only member of their 20-man training camp roster not ready to get started Tuesday will be two-way guard Colby Jones, who is dealing with a left ankle injury.
There was no timetable given for when he will get into full activity, but Langdon said it “isn’t bad.”
The Pistons acquired the 23-year-old this offseason to fill their final two-way spot alongside returning guard Daniss Jenkins and center Tolu Smith.
He was waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder after the end of the 2024-25 season, shortly after being acquired via trade.
The former second-round pick out of Xavier really began to find his footing last season, getting 15 games of NBA action with the Washington Wizards, averaging 8.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, while shooting 46.6% from the field off the bench.
Jones being the only one on the roster not ready to start a ramp up into regular-season means that center Isaiah Stewart and guard Jaden Ivey are set to get back in the fold.
Ivey suffered a season-ending leg injury on Jan. 1, ending the promising guard’s breakout year, where he was averaging 17.6 points and four assists per game on 46% shooting (41% from beyond the arc) in 30 games.
There’s still a ways to go for the 23-year-old during training camp to get him ready for 5-on-5 NBA action, but Langdon said there are “no restrictions” on Ivey in his return from a broken left fibula.
“Obviously, it will take him some time,” Langdon said. “By the time he gets going with that, I think there’s going to be a rhythm component of it and even a game conditioning component of it that he’ll have to get up to speed. But we’re looking forward to having him back and he’s going to be a huge part of his team.”
Stewart, who missed the final five games of the season due to a nagging knee injury, is also back in full swing. The Pistons’ big man played a crucial role on the defensive side of the ball to help push Detroit into the playoffs.
The issue is cleared up and Stewart is ready to play an important part for the Pistons this season, bringing size and some versatility into the Pistons’ rotation.
“I’m healthy, I’m in a great spot,” Stewart said. “I’m ready to get after it.”