Detroit Pistons

Stan Van Gundy says Stanley Johnson could start

Published Aug. 13, 2015 2:23 p.m. ET

foxsports

It's not always easy for a rookie to win a starting spot right away in the NBA, but Detroit Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy sounds ready to give Stanley Johnson a fair shake.

Johnson, the 8th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, might be versatile enough to start at either wing position for the Pistons right off the bat.

Here's what Van Gundy told Zach Lowe in his appearance on the Lowe Post podcast:

"Here's the thing I've even said to our own players, Zach," Van Gundy said when asked if Johnson could start. "When you go 32-50, nobody's got a spot locked in. I'm looking for whoever gives us the best chance to win. So the answer to that is yes." At either (shooting guard) or (small forward). If him being in the starting lineup is our best chance to win, ahead of (Kentavious) Caldwell-Pope or Marcus Morris, yeah, he'll start."

(h/t Lowe Post)