Austin Daye (illness) may not play on Friday. Daye is an afterthought in Detroit and has barely played this season. The No. 15 overall pick from the 2009 draft has underwhelmed in his NBA career, to say the very least.

Austin Daye is focusing on playing "as efficient as possible." Daye faces an uncertain future with the Pistons with the depth the team has at small forward, and it would be a surprise to see him receive an extension prior to the October 21 deadline. Although he's up to 218 lbs, will play some time at PF and his arms are "noticeably bigger," he's not on the fantasy radar barring a miracle in training camp.

Austin Daye's confidence level is "night and day" compared to last season. Daye's improved confidence is great, and it's something he'll need moving forward, but it's not going to increase his fantasy value. Daye will have to prove that he's ready to earn a consistent role in the rotation. The Gonzaga product managed just 4.7 points and 2.2 rebounds in 15 minutes per game last season.

The Detroit News suggests that Austin Daye could be traded this offseason.

Austin Daye scored 11 points off the bench on Monday, hitting 4-of-7 shots (including a three) with four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block in 18 minutes. The Pistons' next game will be on a busy night on Thursday, but if you're in a deeper format and you're looking for a sleeper then Daye could be worth a look. Jonas Jerebko was given a DNP-CD tonight so the coaching staff could get a look at Daye, and they might be willing to do it again on Thursday.

Austin Daye made another start at SG for the Pistons on Saturday, with both Ben Gordon and Rodney Stuckey out with injuries, but he finished with just five points and two rebounds in 20 minutes. Daye couldn't overcome early foul trouble, disappointing owners who plugged him in as a spot-starter after Friday's game (11 points, three steals, two blocks). Stuckey and Gordon are both day-to-day, so don't hang onto Daye at the expense of a more stable option.

Austin Daye stared at shooting guard for injured Rodney Stuckey (hamstring) and scored 11 points on 5-of-14 shooting with two rebounds, one assist, three steals, and two blocks in 33 minutes. This line works in fantasy leagues, though we wonder how much it works when he and Brandon Knight combine for two assists in the backcourt. Regardless, as long as Stuckey and Ben Gordon (groin) are out, Daye is worth a short-term look. Lawrence Frank made fun of the opposing Bulls' injury classifications, pointing out that Derrick Rose has been day-to-day forever, which was an awkward response to a question about his injured guards. Knight scored 16 points with one rebound, one assist, one steal, two blocks, and two 3-pointers in the loss.

Austin Daye will start on Friday with Rodney Stuckey (hamstring) and Ben Gordon (groin) ruled out. Daye played 27 minutes and posted eight points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks and a trey on Wednesday, and his roto-friendly game could certainly help owners in a bind looking for someone to use as a spot-start. He started the second half on Wednesday so it's not a huge surprise that he'll draw the start on Friday.

Austin Daye came off the bench for eight points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks and a 3-pointer in 29 minutes Wednesday. He started the second half after Rodney Stuckey left with a hamstring injury, and could be in line for more minutes going forward. Will Bynum also came alive with eight points, three rebounds and a steal on 3-of-9 shooting. Both players are worth a look if Stuckey is going to miss much time, but it's tough to tell which player might benefit most. Since Daye was the second-half starter, we're going to give the nod to him.

Austin Daye and Will Bynum both admitted that they might have welcomed a trade from the Pistons, where they have fallen completely out of the rotation. Joe Dumars said that no appropriate trades were available, and he expressed faith in Daye while suggesting that his slight frame is the reason for his inactivity. "You see some skill sets, he needs to get stronger," said Dumars. "You see his body and see if he can get his legs under him and stronger. The kid can play." He can play, just not for Detroit this season.