Detroit Pistons Links 05/30/14: Appling, Roberts, Free Agent Talk
By Joe Dexter
Every Morning, Pistons Palace brings you the reading material you need on your Detroit Pistons before you start your day at the office. We bring you the morning’s Palace Picks — the best Detroit Pistons links from across the web to get you ready for the day.
It’s finally Friday and the Pistons are scrambling to find the best off-season moves to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Today’s Palace Picks focus on the moves, philosophy, and player moves it might take to get that done.
Enough talk, time for some link action.
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Fans know what the Stan Van Gundy’s approach is all about defense, but it’s interesting to actually get a players perspective on it. Free Press beat writer Vince Ellis brings us that. He talked to Peyton Siva, who was in Detroit promoting this weekend’s Grand Prix. Siva hasn’t had a face to face yet with SVG, but has been receiving texts from him, preaching the importance of defense.
"“He really stressed the importance of defense,” Siva said Wednesday at the Aston Martin dealership in Troy. “That’s one of the big keys for us this year will be at the defensive end. He really wants us to buckle down on defense and being in the best condition of our lives and I think that’s really going to help us out throughout this year and really going to help the team out.”"
Ellis also mentioned that Van Gundy has brought back former Pistons assistant Charles Klask. It’s unclear what his role will be with the organization, but he has served as a scout and video coordinator in the past. The Livonia native is known as a numbers guy.
Speaking of numbers, The Pistons are looking for players to earn their way to either their NBA and Developmental League roster. Matt Charboneau of the Detroit News reports that one of the players working out for the Pistons will be former Michigan State point guard Keith Appling. Appling’s agent Michael Silverman had some words about his client, who will work out for the team by the end of next week.
"“He was a lock as an early- to mid-second round pick,” Silverman said. “Then he had the drop-off the last half of the year. But I don’t think there is any question he is an NBA player. I think teams are excited to see him as the guy he was (before the injury).“It only takes one team. … All I know is he can defend the ball, can run the team and can take the ball to the rack.”"
Saint Joseph’s forward Ronald Roberts Jr. will work out for team officials on Saturday. Louisville guard Luke Hancock will also have a chance to impress soon.
Speaking of the draft, Bleacher Report’s Jakub Rudnik has a breakdown of what the Pistons should be looking for with the 38th pick.
"The Pistons can have as much as $20 million in cap space this offseason, so they will certainly fill some of their holes via free agency. But finding a rotation-level player in the second round would a coup from a salary-cap standpoint. Parsons, for instance, scored over 16 points per game for the Houston Rockets this season and had a salary less than $1 million, the fourth year of his rookie contract. He will cost them roughly the same in 2014-15.Whether the Pistons move back into the first round or just draft at No. 38, new team president Stan Van Gundy will be looking to find a player who can fill a need and be part of their long-term plan."
One of the players they could target for “cheap” in free agency is Anthony Morrow, who has officially opted out of his contract with the Pelicans yesterday. Morrow finished 3rd in the league in three-point shooting percentage.
Michael Lee of the Washington Post gives us an update on another possible free agent target. Lee says that the Wizards would love for Trevor Ariza to return and that he will probably demand between 8 or 9 million dollars a season.
And finally we leave you with this thought. What if the Pistons were part of a deal to move Kevin Love? Laker Nation has a trade idea for Pistons fans this morning.
"The purple and gold will continue to make a push to acquire Love, but they will need to get creative. While three-team deals are hard to make, that is the best option for the Lakers to get a deal done.A plausible trade partner could be that of the Detroit Pistons. Here is the trade idea (please note this would be main part of the deal):Lakers receive: Kevin LovePistons receive: 7th pick in NBA Draft (LA would select player for Detroit in draft)T’Wolves receive: Greg Monroe (Sign & Trade)As the Stan Van Gundy era begins in Detroit, a slight rebuild is certainly in the cards. The question is if the Pistons will bring back Monroe or let him go in the offseason. If it decides to go with the latter, it could very well look for sign-and-trade offers that will bring back a piece or two."
I like it.
What do you think? Would a sign and trade of Monroe for the 7th pick be a good move for the Pistons?
Share your thoughts and links this morning in the comments.