Ben Wallace and Charlie Villanueva have likely cemented their spots in the starting lineup, but the rest of Kuester’s frontcourt rotation remains unsettled. The trio of Kwame Brown, Jason Maxiell and Chris Wilcox are competing for what will likely be two spots.

Brown looks like the front-runner for one spot. Brown has played in all seven games entering Wednesday night and is averaging 3.3 points and 3.9 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game.

Maxiell played in the Pistons first three games before getting a DNP in the Pistons win over Orlando last week. But he looks to be back in Kuester’s rotation, playing 21 minutes in both the loss at Orlando and win at home over Philadelphia. Maxiell is averaging 3.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 17 minutes this season.

Wilcox could be the man out. He has missed three games this season due to a coaches decision and is averaging 0.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 10.5 minutes per game.

“For us, you watch Ben Wallace and what he’s created for our team … he’s led by example, and that’s what I wanted (for) somebody else to separate them self in regards to that position,” Kuester said. “It’s not that I’m disappointed in any one of those guys. It’s just a matter of getting them to play at the level that Ben’s been playing at.”

Hamilton and Prince remain out
There is still no timetable for when Richard Hamilton (ankle) or Tayshaun Prince (back) will return to the Pistons lineup, but Kuester said both looked better Wednesday.

“The only update I can say is that they both looked better today than I have seen in the last few days,” Kuester said before the game Wednesday. “They won’t play tonight, but we’ll see how the next two days go.

“We’ll just see what happens the next two days. Try to get a gauge on what’s going on. That’s probably the best I can do right now. Just to see them walking around the way they were walking, it was so much better.”