AUBURN HILLS -- Stan Van Gundy asserted today that the Detroit Pistons' acquisition of Reggie Jackson doesn't necessarily spell a premature end to Brandon Jennings' time with the team, though he acknowledged the latter's injury was a factor in trading for the former.

Regardless whether the Pistons pursue a trade involving Jennings -- if they could find a trade partner -- or even a sign-and-trade involving Jackson, Van Gundy emphasized the Pistons didn't trade for Jackson, a 2015 restricted free agent-to-be, as a short-term rental.

"We wouldn't have made the move if we didn't feel ready to make this a long-term commitment," Van Gundy said at today's shootaround for a 7:30 p.m. game against the Chicago Bulls.

The Pistons will not have Jackson or Tayshaun Prince, acquired in another trade, available tonight.

Jackson could be here today for a physical examination and the timing of Prince's arrival was uncertain, though both are expected to be available Sunday against Washington.

Spencer Dinwiddie and Caron Butler will start at point guard and small forward, respectively, tonight.

Asked if Jackson's acquisition necessitates a move at point guard this offseason, particularly with Jennings recoving from a season-ending Jan. 24 Achilles tear and playing on a contract which expires after next season, Van Gundy was non-committal.

He said there could be room for both point guards, and given Jennings' health and the commitment for Jackson, that may be exactly what happens.

"I think that's an extremely important position, number one," Van Gundy said. "Number two, we've got to see where Brandon is with his health. There's always the possibility of those guys playing minutes together, as Reggie did with (Russell) Westbrook in Oklahoma City -- he's big enough."

Van Gundy said he discussed Thursday's two trades with several players, but felt compelled to have a face-to-face conversation with Jennings.

"There's a lot of uncertainty around Brandon, and so we needed to make sure we were protected," Van Gundy said. "Plus, Brandon's only signed through next year. So we wanted to get a long-term option and there's still plenty of room for Brandon. So we look forward to his recovery. I think it takes the pressure off him having to rush back, which is a positive thing. And we can move forward."

The Pistons acquired Jackson from the Thunder for D.J. Augustin, Kyle Singler, and second-round draft picks in 2017 and 2019, as part of a three-team deal involving the Utah Jazz.

They followed that deal with another just before Thursday's deadline, acquiring Prince from Boston for Gigi Datome and Jonas Jerebko.

The Pistons talked to Oklahoma City about Jackson earlier in February, and had a deep interest in Singler, Van Gundy said. But the Thunder wanted a first-round pick.

General manager Jeff Bower eventually got the terms adjusted.

"I think our guys did a great job of talent evaluation, and then Jeff managed the process extremely well," Van Gundy said. "His organizational abilities are incredible. If we made this move, he was ready with moves two and three; if we didn't make this, he was ready with that. Just a great, great job pulling things together."

The trade left the Pistons scrambling at two positions after losing starters.

Jackson will plug one. Either Tayshaun Prince or Caron Butler will start at the other, though the 34-year-olds will be heavily reliant on each other.

"I think it's a good situation because if you look at those two guys, they're older guys, veteran guys," Van Gundy said. "Neither one of them is in a situation where they should be playing 34, 35, 36 minutes a night. So we look at it like those guys can split the minutes there and play well in that type of situation."

The Pistons have several points of emphasis in acquiring Jackson, Van Gundy said.

One was his performances in big games already, including postseason, and how he has played when Westbrook was injured for the Thunder.

Another was the uncertainty surrounding Jennings' health.

And yet another was Jackson's age -- 24 -- which allows most of the Pistons' starting core to grow together, along with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Andre Drummond and unrestricted free agent-to-be Greg Monroe.

"Other than Tayshaun and Caron, who have AARP cards, the other guys are 24 or younger," Van Gundy said. "We have a chance to build something here."

The overarching immediate concern is how the Pistons (21-33), who have won 16 of their last 26 games, adjust to such a vast overhaul.

They had 14 healthy players at Thursday's practice, and by mid-afternoon, four of them had been traded.

"These guys had great respect for each other and to have four guys leave is not fun," Van Gundy said. "Those are guys they liked and respected, and everything else, and to see them go out the door is not an easy thing."

The moves probably mean the Pistons keep John Lucas III, who is on his second 10-day contract, through the remainder of the season.

They also will have to compensate for losing two of their best shooters. Singler led the team in 3-point shooting. Augustin hadn't shot well from the field but found ways to score and has made his last 40 free throws.

Giving up that kind of shooting was a concern in making the trade.

"D.J. was starting to shoot it well after struggling all year, and Kyle was obviously our best 3-point shooter," Van Gundy said. "So there's no question we were concerned. But again, that's a problem that we can address later on and I think in trying to build and go forward, we needed another building-block guy. The point position's important. He's a young, talented guy with size and athleticism at his position, and with Brandon hurt, we had a lot of uncertainty there going forward."

Van Gundy said he spoke with both incoming players Thursday.

"Their reactions were different," he said. "Reggie was really, really excited. I don't think Tayshaun was unhappy but he was trying to figure out what the hell happened."

Prince, who played with the Pistons from 2002-13, is not being considered for a buyout.

"I think that was his expectation, quite frankly," Van Gundy said, "but that's certainly not why we acquired him. We didn't acquire him with any kind of promise from us that we were going to buy him out. We got him to play, and play a lot."

The Pistons will have one open roster spot after signing D-League small forward Quincy Miller on Saturday, but may not fill it, Van Gundy said.

Van Gundy was pleased to acquire a potentially elite guard without giving up a first-round pick.

"If you look at all the point guards moved yesterday, I think we got a really good player and did a very good job protecting our assets moving forward," he said. "We did give up a pair of seconds, but they were three years out and five years out, and I thought the deal was done very well."

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