Report: Pistons’ Jennings ‘not close’ to being cleared

It’s beginning to appear Detroit Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings’ clean bill of health won’t come in time for the start of training camp.

NBA.com reported Monday that Jennings, who suffered a season-ending ruptured left Achilles in late January, is “not close to being cleared.”

The report, citing an unnamed source, said Jennings is shooting and also running on a treadmill. But that’s the extent of Jennings’ basketball activities with training came beginning next Tuesday.

The news isn’t surprising, considering Jennings himself gave a 6- to 9-month time frame when he suffered the injury Jan. 24 during a loss at Milwaukee.

Observers say Jennings is making good progress and has attacked his rehab diligently. But an Achilles rupture is a catastrophic injury.

Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy has said repeatedly that he needs to see Jennings show the ability to change directions to even be considered close to returning.

Jennings was playing arguably the best basketball of his career at the time of his injury. He starred as the Pistons went on a 12-3 tear after jettisoning Josh Smith a few days before Christmas.

With the uncertainty surrounding Jennings, the Pistons traded for veteran Steve Blake to provide depth behind Reggie Jackson. Second-year point guard Spencer Dinwiddie is also on the roster.

(c)2015 Detroit Free Press

Visit the Detroit Free Press at www.freep.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.