Grading the Detroit Pistons 2019 offseason moves

Detroit Pistons point guard Derrick Rose played with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Detroit Pistons point guard Derrick Rose played with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 7: Markieff Morris #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 7, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 7: Markieff Morris #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 7, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Pistons sign Markieff Morris

Shortly after the Pistons signed Rose, they reached a deal with Markieff Morris for two years, $7.6 million.

Like Rose, Morris is an instant upgrade to the Pistons rotation. His physicality and strength in the paint is going to bother opponents and his energy is easy to feed off of. His defensive mentality is something the Pistons have lacked in the frontcourt for some time.

light. Related Story. How Markieff Morris will impact the Pistons

Offensively, Morris will be looking to improve his value, sitting on a player option for the 2020-21 season. Having improved his 3-point shooting to 36.7 percent in the previous two seasons, Morris saw that number drop to 33.9 percent.

His minutes per game have dropped from 31.2 per contest two seasons ago to 21.9 last season, splitting time between the Washington Wizards (34 games) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (24 games).

GRADE: B+

Morris will likely enter this season with a chip on his shoulder and more to improve in a bounce back season, giving him higher value on the open market next year, a light one for the frontcourt.