Jennings, Van Gundy meet to discuss Jackson, future

Auburn Hills — While the Pistons have been energized by the acquisition of guard Reggie Jackson at last week's trade deadline, there's still a lingering question.

What about Brandon Jennings?

Jackson and Jennings, who was lost for the season after an Achilles injury on Jan. 24, are both guards and with the logjam in the backcourt, Pistons president-coach Stan Van Gundy wanted to get on the same page with Jennings about the role moving forward.

"Brandon and I talked and I told him what our thinking was both in terms of bringing Reggie in and what our thinking was going forward," Van Gundy said Thursday. "I thought that was important; it wasn't something I wanted to do over the phone. He and I sat down and talked for 20 minutes or so."

Jennings is due $8.3 million next year and Jackson looks to be earmarked as a cornerstone for the Pistons moving forward. Jackson has assumed the starting role at point guard and is averaging 19.5 points 6.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists in his first two games.

Van Gundy, though, wanted to sit down face-to-face with Jennings to clarify the situation so that there wasn't any misunderstanding and to communicate future plans.

"Brandon is a great guy and a team-oriented guy and understands the situation. He probably would've rather that we didn't (pick up Jackson)," Van Gundy said. "He's on board; he knows what we're trying to build here. Brandon really wants to win, so he was fine with it. There was no problem or pushback from him or anything else."

Before his injury, Jennings averaged 15.4 points and 6.6 assists and was the spark that helped the Pistons turn their season around, after a 5-23 start. They're one game behind the Nets and Hornets for the last playoff spot in the East.

Rod.Beard@detroitnews.com

Twitter.com/detnewsRodBeard