Detroit Pistons: Pass or Pursue on 3 free agent candidates

Josh Jackson

In free agency targeting, it might seem strange to pursue a payer who spent most of last season in the G-League. But Josh Jackson was not your average G-Leaguer.

The fourth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by Phoenix (one spot after Jayson Tatum and right before De’Aaron Fox), Jackson has had a disappointing start to his NBA career.

After two years, the Suns gave up on him and traded Jackson to Memphis. The Grizzlies did not think that highly of him, either. Memphis declined his fourth-year option, and sent him to the G-League to start the season.

Jackson played well and got promoted to the big club in January.

The 6-foot-8 wing did not do badly for the Grizzlies, as they eventually fell to Portland in the play-in game for the No. 8 seed in the Bubble. He averaged 9.0 points in 17 minutes a game.

Because they declined his option, Jackson is now a free agent. Memphis might want back but he can sign with any team.

A player who got drafted between Jayson Tatum and De’Aaron Fox, obviously showed a lot of potential at one time.

Jackson is only 23 years old so it is certainly not too late for him to look something like the player he was expected to be.

A young, tall, athletic wing, who has been a bit of an underachiever, should definitely interest the Pistons. Sometimes, all a player needs who was drafted high is a change of scenery and a chance to play a lot (see Fultz, Markelle).

Of course, a lot of other NBA teams might think the same. A low-risk, high-reward player like Jackson will draw a lot of suitors.

Jackson made $7 million in the final year of his rookie deal. If his price goes upward of that, it might be too big a gamble to take for Detroit. Teams sometimes outsmart themselves and overpay.

Jackson is someone who should definitely be on Pistons GM Troy Weaver’s radar. To get a player like him, is the reason Detroit let go of all those veterans.

Now, there is a price where, if it goes too high, Detroit should pull back. Yes, Jackson shows a lot of promise, but he just played half a year in the G-League.

So, when Jackson’s agent calls Weaver, he should:

Pursue