Detroit Pistons: 4 offseason moves to add veteran leadership

Detroit Pistons: Paul Millsap is a team player

Millsap is a four-time All-Star who is getting overpaid in Denver to be a serviceable starting forward. Much like Joseph, he has made some deep playoff runs and was never “the guy.” That’s because he found success on a part of some of the most balanced and team-oriented organizations in recent years. The mid-2010s Atlanta Hawks were a regular-season marvel who could just never get past LeBron, and Millsap was a stud, averaging about 17 points over a seven-year span.

He is still a good player who would immediately upgrade Detroit’s game. He brings a team-first mentality, but he would have to take a pay cut to come here. The Pistons simply can’t shell out a lot of money for him. Granted, his next contract will be much smaller than his current one, but he has still never won a championship, so I suspect he’ll stay in Denver or sign with another contender. Perhaps a homecoming in Atlanta or Utah is overdue, but I’d love to see him in the Motor City.

Hassan Whiteside: The Beef Stew Whisperer

Yes, Whiteside is still in the league. Yes, Detroit doesn’t need another big. Plumlee and Stewart have that locked down, and they have a decent supporting cast.

But if that supporting cast were to collapse or leave, Whiteside would actually be the perfect piece, if Weaver could get him for the league minimum.

Whiteside would be the stereotypical washed leader. Maybe he’d get 10-15 minutes of playing time, but imagine how good Isaiah Stewart would be with Whiteside mentoring him on the defensive end.

Whiteside is one of the best rim protectors over the past decade or so, and Stewart has shown a lot of promise in that area. Plumlee can’t really help out too much there, so Detroit would have to bring in someone else.

It might be silly to sign someone just to work with one player, but in five years, just imagine if Detroit is home to the league MVP in their upcoming draft pick and the Defensive Player of the Year.