Pistons pointing toward greater expectations: Being swept in a playoff series isn’t anything to be excited about. But after the Pistons’ first-round loss to the Cavaliers last season, the organization and pundits were optimistic about the prospects moving forward. That continued into training camp, with all of the starters returning and bolstering the bench with a couple of key free agents, raising expectations this season. Some projections had the Pistons as high as 50 wins and fourth in the Eastern Conference — a huge jump over their 44 victories and No. 8 seed from last season. -- The Detroit News

Pistons go with Udrih’s experience over McCallum: On one hand, Ray McCallum made the Pistons’ roster on Saturday because of his NBA experience. On Monday, he lost his spot because the Pistons found someone with more. The Pistons changed course on their roster just two days before the start of the regular season, opting for veteran point guard Beno Udrih over McCallum. -- The Detroit News

Palace dishing up new barbecue option: Guests at The Palace of Auburn Hills will have a slam-dunk option of a slow-cooked brisket dish named after the Pistons’ center and available at Maplewood Barbecue. Lamar Nolden, executive chef for Levy Restaurants at the Palace, worked with Aron Baynes, trying out recipes on the 6-foot-10 center and 2016 Summer Olympian. Baynes, an Australia native, developed a penchant for beef, Texas-style barbecue while playing in San Antonio with the Spurs. “I fell in love with barbecue during my days in Texas,” Baynes said. “And brisket is king down there.” -- The Detroit News

Oakland County turned down offer to buy Palace: Oakland County rejected a $384 million offer in June to buy the Palace of Auburn Hills, county officials confirmed Monday. The county, in a news release issued late Monday, said it was “acting in a fiscally responsible manner on behalf of taxpayers” when it rejected the proposal that would have allowed the facility to be leased back to the Detroit Pistons. The Palace and Pistons are both owned by Tom Gores’ Platinum Equity group. -- The Detroit News

Headed to Detroit, Beno Udrih 'ready to go to work': It's been an eventful 48 hours for Beno Udrih. The 34-year-old point guard was waived by the Miami Heat on Saturday, only to be claimed Monday afternoon by the Detroit Pistons. Monday night, Udrih was talking to Ric Bucher of SiriusXM NBA Radio from a south Florida airport terminal en route to Michigan. "You know, I've been following pretty much all the teams and I've seen Detroit start rebuilding over the last two years," Udrih said. -- MLive.com

With Reggie Jackson out early, can Pistons still make their leap of faith?: One month ago, one player after another walked to the podium facing reporters uttering a variation of the team goal. It began with their leader, Stan Van Gundy -- who has coached a team to the NBA Finals once, but never won a title -- unveiling the unofficial motto. "Why not us?" -- MLive.com

We tried a new Palace BBQ dish inspired by Pistons center Aron Baynes: Detroit Pistons center Aron Baynes loves great barbecue food. Now, he's helped create a dish he hopes will be a slam dunk with fans. Baynes, with the help of Levy Restaurants, unveiled his "House O' Bayne" brisket platter at Maplewood Barbeque inside The Palace on Monday, October 24, 2016. -- MLive.com

Andre Drummond's evolving post game will be tested in new Pistons season: Already one of the best rebounders in the NBA, look for Andre Drummond to be more involved than ever before on the block this season. It's part of the next step in the ongoing evolution of the Detroit Pistons offense, sped up some by Reggie Jackon's extended absence with knee tendinitis. Ish Smith will look to get others around him involved first, requiring Drummond — reliant on the pick-and-roll with Jackson for a bulk of his touches — to find alternative ways to score. -- MLive.com

7-foot-6 Mamadou N’Diaye towers at Detroit Pistons practice: There was a new face at Detroit Pistons practice Saturday. A tall new face. Mamadou N’Diaye, who stands 7-foot-6, was on the practice floor working with assistant coaches Aaron Gray and Charles Klask. He was taking short baseline jumpers and throwing in short, standing hook shots. -- Detroit Free Press

Pistons claim Beno Udrih, waive Ray McCallum: Detroit Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said the team would keep its options open when it came to the point guard position. And hours after it appeared that former Detroit Mercy star Ray McCallum would open the season as the backup point guard for the opener Wednesday night at Toronto, the Pistons claimed veteran point guard Beno Udrih off waivers. -- Detroit Free Press

Aron Baynes gives new brisket on Palace menu his approval: Detroit Pistons center Aron Baynes, who hails from Australia, earned his barbecue chops in Texas when he played for the San Antonio Spurs. He brought that passion to the Pistons, where he has made a point of exploring the finest barbecue restaurants in the area. -- Detroit Free Press