The Detroit Pistons have never really been an NBA free agent destination but that could be about to change.
Detroit is not on a coast, does not have nice weather and does not offer the benefit of no state income tax. The city is finally rebounding from some rough times but still doesn’t have the glamor of Los Angeles, New York or Miami.
All of the successful eras of Pistons’ basketball have come through the draft and trades, not so much through free agency, where the Pistons have always had to settle for the second tier guys and often overpay to do it.
This has set the franchise back several times and has led the Pistons to being conservative when it comes to free agency.
But could Detroit eventually morph into a top-tier free agent destination? Absolutely. Here’s why.
Detroit Pistons: Jerami Grant opened some eyes
First off, Detroit is an amazing city and the only people who think otherwise are people who have never been there. Yes, the economy has struggled in recent years but it is on the comeback and has a thriving culture that will appeal to some players, including recent free agent acquisition (technically a sign and trade) Jerami Grant, who chose Detroit over Denver precisely because of its culture.
Grant wanted to play for a black coach and GM in a black city, comments which probably opened some eyes around the league. This is something Detroit can use as a selling point, especially as the city continues to build and rebound from hard times.
It might take awhile before Detroit is back to its heyday as one of the hubs of music and culture in the United States, but it is getting there. Jerami Grant will hopefully be the first of many free agents who choose Detroit because of its culture not in spite of it.
Jerami Grant was an important addition for several reasons, which is why it is insane that some fans are obsessed with trading him.
Detroit Pistons: Winning is attractive
Don’t look now but the Pistons have one of the most promising young cores in the NBA and will hopefully be adding another top-five pick to the mix this offseason.
None of the mid-market teams are all that attractive to free agents unless they are winning. If 2-3 years from now Detroit is starting to make noise in the Eastern Conference behind a very young team, that could appeal to a top-tier veteran free agent who wants to play for a contender and could be the final piece.
Winning cures everything and if Detroit starts winning, the free agents will come. Teams like Milwaukee, Atlanta and Memphis are now attractive to potential free agents because they have a star and are winning. Win games and the free agents will come.
The Detroit Pistons are one of the marquee franchises in the NBA and appear to be headed back to the days when they were a mainstay in the NBA Playoffs. This improvement, along with shifting cultural values, could eventually turn them into a free-agent destination.
No, they’ll never be the Lakers (and who would want that?) but the Detroit Pistons are building the right way, starting with the signing of Jerami Grant, who could open the door to changing perceptions about the city of Detroit.