Oct 13, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (3) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Pistons had one of the worst group of small forwards last season in Caron Butler, Tayshaun Prince, and Quincy Miller.

Now the Pistons find themselves in a much better spot at small forward after drafting Stanley Johnson with the eighth overall pick and acquiring Marcus Morris in a trade with the Phoenix Suns.

After standing out at the Orlando Summer League, Johnson’s carried over his stellar play to the preseason averaging 17.3 points, 2.6 assists, 5.5 rebounds, .75 blocks, and 1.0 steals shooting 42 % from the field and 46% from three.

This may just be preseason, but he’s played well enough that Stan Van Gundy decided to give him a start against the Indiana Pacers last night.

Van Gundy may just be experimenting with his lineup–and he should be– but Johnson has earned a real chance to start for the Pistons based on what he’s been able to accomplish in such a short time with the team.

He’s shown that he’s capable of playing quality minutes at both ends of the floor and starting him would be beneficial for the Pistons long-term as he figures to be playing with Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond for the foreseeable future.

There’s also no harm giving him an extended look as a starter in preseason, because Van Gundy is still getting a feel for Johnson’s game and how it plays to the strengths of the starters around him. Van Gundy already knows what he has in Ersan Ilyasova.

I’d like to see Van Gundy start Johnson with Ilysova tonight against the Chicago Bulls to see how Johnson meshes with the unit that figures to start on opening day (Reggie Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Johnson/Morris, Ilyasova, and Drummond).

It might also be wise to give another start to both Johnson and Morris to see how the team plays defensively.

Ilyasova has been a better rebounder throughout his career compared to Morris, but it’s possible that rebounding won’t be as big of an issue with Drummond at center who’s been one of the pest per game rebounders in the NBA.

Van Gundy has time to play around with the lineup. That’s what preseason is for, but it would be a mistake to bring Johnson off the bench unless he simply isn’t ready–which doesn’t look to be the case so far.