Detroit Pistons sign Jose Calderon, is it the right move?
By Travis Gibbs
The Detroit Pistons have made a move for veteran point guard Jose Calderon. Was this the right move for the team?
The Detroit Pistons have decided to bring back Jose Calderon for his second term with the organization. He signed a one-year deal worth $2.4 million.
Free agent Jose Calderon agrees to a one-year, $2.4 million deal with Detroit, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 2, 2018
Calderon last played for Detroit during the 2012-2013 season. During that season, he averaged 11 points a game and six assists. Calderon was 31 during that season.
He comes back to Detroit at 36 years old. Since his first stint with the Pistons, he’s played on five different NBA teams.
He’ll be stepping into a situation similar to his last few seasons. There will be limited minutes for Calderon that he will need to make the most of as the third point guard on the current roster.
Was Jose Calderon the right move?
There is a couple different ways to look at this situation. Was Calderon the right decision by Detroit’s front office.
In a way, he was. Calderon has been a point guard in this league for over a decade. He fills the obvious need of a third point guard on the roster.
He can shoot the ball well and facilitate at an above-average level. He’s shown that he can get his teammates good looks throughout his career.
Were there other players that the Pistons could’ve made a move for first?
The Pistons have had issues at the point guard position for the last couple seasons. Reggie Jackson has been unable to stay healthy. Ish Smith is a serviceable back-up, but nothing more than that at best.
Could Calderon take on more than ten minutes a night and be efficient doing so if asked to take on a bigger role? That’s highly doubtful.
There are other options that could have been considered. Shabazz Napier is one that comes to mind. Seth Curry is another.
These guys seem like they could have a higher ceiling at a price that is not much higher than what they paid for Calderon.
#Pistons deal for Jose Calderon could be a money-saver ... I'm told they're pursuing trades to open up cap space. Potential trade pieces are Ish Smith, Jon Leuer or Langston Galloway.
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) July 2, 2018
Ultimately, this move was to save money. The Pistons don’t have a lot of money to spend. Calderon fills the need.
Clearly, this might not be the last move made in what was supposed to be a very quiet summer of free agency for the Detroit Pistons.