The Detroit Pistons were already loaded with many inexperienced young players, but general manager Troy Weaver drafted four more youngsters. Why? There is not enough room for all of them on the roster.
Weaver has said, in his own words, ‘my clip will be empty‘ at all times when seeking to improve the Pistons. But what he is shooting for, is not always readily apparent.
This past NBA Draft is a perfect example. Weaver was quite aggressive, we just are not sure to what end.
This past season’s Pistons squad was quite young. Detroit only had six players 25-years or older. It also included five rookies. Weaver obviously can read a birth certificate, and he has stated frequently that he wants veterans on the team.
Yet, with already a young squad, the Pistons drafted four new players. Now, we are not being stupid. Getting Cade Cunningham with the first pick in the draft was a no-brainer.
But Detroit also drafted three players in the second round. And we are not talking about early in the round either, when the spot is basically not much different than a late first-round pick.
It went:
42. (12th pick in the second round): Isaiah Livers
52. (22nd pick of second round): Luka Garza
57. : (27th pick of second yard): Balsa Koprivica
Detroit was 12 deep into the second round before they took someone, and the last two were among the last eight drafted.
To be clear, this has nothing to do with the quality of the players drafted. Heck, Kopivica or Garza could turn into the next Kristaps Porzingus for all we know. The point is, with so many young players already on the team, the Pistons did not need a bunch more.
Getting rid of second rounders, if a team wants to, is usually not a problem. This year, Toronto simply sold No. 50 for $2 million to the 76ers. So Detroit wanted to have the three second-rounders (they moved one from 37 to 57 as part of the Mason Plumlee trade)
Detroit did clear some roster space. Right after the draft, they waived Cory Joseph, Tyler Cook and, in a surprise, Deividas Sirvydis. The Pistons just two years ago traded three second round draft picks to get Sirvydis, a very young 6-9 wing.
Troy Weaver was not there for the trade (Special Advisor Ed Stefanski and Vice President Arn Tellen get that credit) but Weaver was in charge when Sirvydis came over last year and was signed to a four-year deal, with the first two guaranteed.
The Pistons will be paying Sirvydis the sum of $1.5 million to go away, so this is not a move that clears salary cap space. It opens up a roster spot and closes the chapter on Sirvydis in Detroit. Throw in the fact Tellen’s son is Sirvydis’ agent, this action is even more odd.