Detroit Pistons: 3 possible forwards in NBA free agency
Could old vet Paul Millsap be a future Detroit Piston?
To me, Paul Millsap has always played the game in a way that would fit in well with Detroit’s culture. Always been team first and a gritty player.
Now, Millsap may not want to leave Denver, especially with the emergence of Nikola Jokic as the best big in the league, and easily a top 10 player.
However, if he were to seek out more cash elsewhere (like ex-teammates Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee), Detroit would be an interesting fit.
Millsap has never shown himself to be an elite passer or playmaker, but he has always been about team success over his own. A four-time All-Star at the end of his career, mentoring in Detroit would be an appropriate way for him to spend his twilight, especially if he doesn’t want to chase a ring.
If he signed with the Pistons, he would understand that his role would be to mentor, and give the young guns as many touches as possible. I think he’d do a great job filling that role.
Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin (23) looks for an open lane to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Trey Lyles (41). Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Trey Lyles might fit with Detroit Pistons
Trey Lyles has expressed dissatisfaction with his decreasing role in the Alamo City, and he is certainly the bargain pick of these three. He is also the most interesting.
The worst defender of the bunch, Lyles is also the best shooter and an average facilitator who can run the floor the best out of all three listed.
Lyles is also only 25, so if Detroit were to sign him, they could shape him into the player they need him to be. That being said, he would be a better three-point shooter than Grant but, other than that, he is simply not as good of a player.
But his cheap contract would allow the Pistons to build more in the immediate future, and the spacing he provides on offense would make Detroit rain threes like they never had before.
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Between Bey, Lyles, Smith Jr, and, hopefully Juzang, the Pistons could put together a lineup of all buckets. On the opposite end, Detroit would fully be committing to scoring 120 a night, while also giving up as many points.
Would this choice end the rebuild right away? No. But it would allow for more growth elsewhere.