The Detroit Pistons have a number of options when it comes to NBA free agents.
The Pistons were able to clear enough cap space to pursue one big name or to re-sign their own free agents and possibly one more mid-level guy.
Entering the offseason I assumed the Pistons would attempt to re-sign their own guys, then not have much left over, but after trading Mason Plumlee and waiving Cook, Sirvydis and Cory Joseph, the Pistons now have a little cap space to splash around.
The Pistons are now being attached to some interesting NBA free agents, some of which would be a nice fit and others they should probably stay away from.
Here are six names that I’ve heard mentioned around the Detroit Pistons and whether they should pass on him or try to bring him to Detroit.
Detroit Pistons: NBA Free Agents- Malik Monk
Monk became an unrestricted free agent after the Hornets declined to make him a qualifying offer to make him restricted.
Monk has the honor of being one of the biggest busts from the 2017 draft, a guy who will mostly be remembered for being taken two spots ahead of Donovan Mitchell.
The Pistons just got rid of the other big bust of that lottery, Luke Kennard, so I think they’ll pass on revisiting those mistakes.
Monk evolved into a good 3-point shooter last season, shooting over 40 percent on five attempts per game, so he does offer some skills the Pistons need.
But is he really any better than Frank Jackson? Monk will be more expensive and isn’t much of an upgrade, if at all.
Verdict: Pass
Detroit Pistons: NBA Free Agents- Nerlens Noel
After jettisoning Mason Plumlee, the Pistons are suddenly light at center with only Isaiah Stewart and Jahlil Okafor to go along with two second-round picks who might not even make the roster.
They could definitely use a veteran down low, especially one who can catch lobs and protect the rim.
Nerlens Noel is coming off one of his best seasons as a professional and was a big part of helping the Knicks reach the playoffs last season.
He’s a hard-nosed defender who is one of the better shot blockers in the NBA, averaging 2.2 last season in only 24 minutes per game.
He’s never been a guy who plays huge minutes, as he is almost always in foul trouble, but that’s ok, as the Pistons don’t really want a guy who is going to take minutes from Beef Stew.
Noel is a nice fit but it all comes down to cost. He was a great value contact last season and will probably be looking for a raise, but if the Pistons can get him on a low-cost deal he’d fit right in with the culture and team they are building.
Verdict: Pursue
Detroit Pistons: NBA Free Agents- Kelly Olynyk
Another big man to consider is power forward/center Kelly Olynyk, who split last season between the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets before becoming a free agent.
Olynyk is coming off his best season, averaging 13.5 points and 7 rebounds while shooting a decent percentage from the 3-point line.
The Pistons already have some interior bruisers in Stewart and Okafor, so Olynyk seems like a decent fit as a stretch-four who has a much different skill set.
Detroit will need to spread the floor and create space for Cade Cunningham to go to work and right now they are bereft of shooters to put around him.
Olynyk could potentially add some shooting, and he is still in his prime at age 29, so it makes some sense.
But Olynyk isn’t the greatest defender and will probably cost more than he’s worth. While he’s a good shooter for his size, he still only hit 34 percent last season which is pretty average and probably wouldn’t be enough to move the needle.
Personally, I’d rather see the Detroit Pistons take a chance on someone more athletic or whose shooting is a big upgrade.
Verdict: Pass
Detroit Pistons: NBA Free Agents- Zach Collins
Like Olynyk, Zach Collins is a power forward/center, though Collins doesn’t have the range that Olynyk does.
Collins is coming off a season in which he only played 11 games, so his price tag might be lower than Olynyk’s and he is only 23-years-old, so the Pistons would be taking a chance on a high upside guy who still has room to grow.
Collins has had some nice moments for the Trail Blazers, and at times, looked like was going to be a part of their future.
But he does have some injury concerns after last season, so even though the Pistons might be able to get him for a low cost, what would they really be getting?
He’s not much of a 3-point shooter or floor spacer, and his interior game isn’t better than the guys they already have. Collins could be a decent rim protector eventually and could eventually develop range but that’s a whole lot of “ifs.”
Verdict: Pass
Detroit Pistons: NBA Free Agents- Tim Hardaway Jr.
Tim Hardaway Jr. will be one of the more coveted free agents this offseason, as he is still in his prime and has shown he can knock down 3-point shots, which all teams are looking for.
He scored 16.6 per game last season while shooting 39 percent on 7.6 attempts per game, making him one of the best high-volume shooters in the NBA.
He would immediately elevate the Pistons’ offense, give them a third scoring option and create some space around Cade Cunningham.
Cunningham is going to be a superstar, and Jerami Grant is a solid number two option, so adding Hardaway Jr. would give the Pistons a shooter to go with them, a guy who would be the perfect third banana, who happens to have ties to Michigan.
I think the fit is undoubtedly there but it really comes down to cost. Hardaway Jr. will be hotly pursued and it will likely take an offer upwards of $20 million per season to get him.
Would the Pistons be willing to offer him something like 4 years $80 million? Because that is what it might take.
That would be all of the Pistons’ cap space, but they do have Blake Griffin off the books next season which opens up another max slot to make moves. If Troy Weaver thinks Hardaway can be part of a long-term plan where the Pistons go for it next offseason, then I am in.
Verdict: Pursue
Detroit Pistons: NBA Free Agents- Norman Powell
Norman Powell is likely in the same category of NBA free agents as Hardaway Jr. as it will take most or all of the Pistons’ cap space to get him. He was also connected to the Pistons in trade rumors early this season.
To me, Powell offers many of the same skills as Hardaway Jr. but he is slightly younger and slightly better at just about everything.
Powell shot 41.1 percent from 3-point range on six attempts per game, averaged 18.6 points and showed he can be the best player on the floor occasionally, putting up 36 and 43 points in games against the Pistons last season.
At one point Powell scored at least 24 points in 7 out of 9 games and looked like one of the best shooters in the NBA.
Obviously it’s a one or the other option between him and Hardaway, as the Pistons don’t have the money to get them both, but if they are going to use most or all of their cap space on one guy, Powell would be a good choice, as he provides the shooting the Pistons have lacked.
He will come down to cost as well, but if the Detroit Pistons can squeeze him in, he’d be a nice fit.
Verdict: Pursue