Brandon Jennings, Jodie Meeks could have rehab stint with Grand Rapids Drive

The Pistons desperately need bench help as soon as possible, but the Grand Rapids Drive might get a boost to their lineup before the Pistons do. Brandon Jennings and Jodie Meeks, both working their way back from respective injuries, may be assigned to the team's D-League affiliate prior to re-joining the Pistons (via Dave Mayo at MLIVE):

Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said the players might benefit from a brief rehabilitation stint with the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA Development League after they are cleared to play, though as veterans, they are not required to comply. "I think it helps with the conditioning because the only way to get in basketball shape is to play basketball," Van Gundy said. "We play so many games that practice time is limited, and practice time isn't that long. Your chance to go get 35 minutes a game, and really get your conditioning back, would be to do something like that. But again, our guys are a little different because they're veteran guys. It would have to be something they're willing to do and we haven't broached that subject yet."

Consider the subject broached.

Jennings (based on recent words and actions) and Meeks don't strike me as two who would turn down an assignment if Stan Van Gundy asked them to do it, and I assume this would be done in lieu of practice as opposed to actual games with the Pistons.

The Drive have two home games leading up to Christmas, one on Sat., Dec. 19 and another Wed., Dec. 23. Meeks might not be ready yet, but if Jennings is ready to play in that Dec. 19 game, the first of three days off between games for the Pistons? That should give him enough time off to rest up for Dec. 23 in Atlanta with the big club.

Now your thoughts.