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Detroit Pistons sign center Zaza Pachulia, waive Eric Moreland

By Andrew Brewster

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 23: Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia arrives at Water For Life Charity Softball Game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on June 23, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Miikka Skaffari/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 23: Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia arrives at Water For Life Charity Softball Game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on June 23, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Miikka Skaffari/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Pistons have announced the signing of free-agent center Zaza Pachulia. In addition, they’ve also waived reserve big man Eric Moreland.

Earlier this morning, the Detroit Pistons signed two-time NBA champion Zaza Pachulia to a one-year deal. The news was first reported by Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports.

The move comes less than a week after the team signed point guard Jose Calderon to a similar deal.

This indicates that the Pistons will be moving on from Eric Moreland. The backup center would have been owed $750,000 in guaranteed money if he wasn’t waived today.

As reported by Rod Beard of the Detroit News, exchanging Pachulia for Moreland saved the Pistons about $300,000. That money will likely be used to sign rookie Khyri Thomas.

Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press also reported that Detroit may have had other motives for the signing, aside from just fiscal concerns.

Adding a Veteran Presence

Releasing Eric Moreland and Dwight Buycks in favor of and Zaza Pachulia and Jose Calderon reveals that the Pistons were seeking to add a veteran presence in the locker room.

DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 6: Eric Moreland #24 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets on January 6, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 6: Eric Moreland #24 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets on January 6, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

First and foremost, I believe that this move was a way to prepare Detroit for an expected playoff run. It remains to be seen whether or not these decisions will make a significant impact on the court. But both players have playoff experience, at the very least.

I also see this as a way to replace Anthony Tolliver as the veteran presence on the team, after losing him to the Minnesota Timberwolves in free agency.

Next: Pistons fall short to Grizzlies 73-70

Do you like the Pistons adding veterans to the roster? Let us know in the comments.

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