Detroit Pistons: Pass or Pursue on 3 free agent candidates

Langston Galloway

It might not be a headline grabber, but Langston Galloway could help solidify the Pistons lineup.

His contract ran out at the end of last season, so he is now free to sign with any team in the league. But, one would think, he would have no problem coming back to Detroit.

This would be Galloway’s second free-agent signing with Detroit if he inks another contract. In July, 2017 he signed a three-year deal worth about $21 million.

A 6-foot-1, 200-pound combo guard, Galloway just had his best season since his All-Rookie campaign five years ago with the Knicks.

He averaged 10.3 points a game and shot a career-high 43.5% percent from the field. He also knocked down 40% of his three-point attempts and is a good defensive player.

Galloway also has a year under coach Dwane Casey and knows what he expects. That can not be underestimated, when you might have a lot of new players. Galloway has also been a positive locker room influence.

On the surface, bringing back Galloway seems like a slam dunk. But there are some points to consider where it might not be a great idea.

First of all, Galloway will be 29 years old before the start next season. Since the Pistons are looking at things long term, why have a role player in his late 20s take playing time away from a young player who needs the experience?

The biggest problem Galloway has faced in his career is consistency. He can look like the new Vinnie Johnson one game and then plunge into a multi-game slump.

He was better last season with his consistency. However, do the Pistons want to take a chance on last year being an outlier?

The biggest factor in whether Detroit will pursue or pass on him is, of course, the price.

In a weak free agent market, a skilled guard with proven three-point shooting ability could receive a nice offer.

If Detroit could get Galloway for, say, two years and $10 million, that could work. If a team desperate for outside shooting like the Philadelphia 76ers swooped in and offered something like two years and $16 million, the Pistons may not want to go that high.

But Galloway fit in perfectly with Detroit last year. He played well and was a role model for the young players. Unless the asking price is too high, the verdict is:

Pursue