How many open spots on Detroit Pistons roster are there really?

Are the Detroit Pistons set for next year’s team. Is there a spot for anyone else?

Here is a breakdown of where the guaranteed 15 come from:

Returning players (11): Jerami Grant, Killian Hayes, Josh Jackson, Sekou Doumbouya, Isaiah Stewart, Frank Jackson, Saddiq Bey, Jahlil Okafor, Saben Lee, Rodney McGruder, Cory Joseph.

Free agents (2): Kelly Olynyk, Trey Lyles.

Draft choices (2): Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Livers.

Two-way contract (1): Chris Smith (reported)

Joseph and McGruder both re-signed with the Pistons after having their team options declined to lower salary figures (which cost Detroit $2.4 million in dead money with Joseph). Technically, they were free agents and then returning players.

Sitting out there, is Hamidou Diallo. He played well for Detroit last season after coming from Oklahoma City in the Svi Mykhailiuk trade. The Pistons made him a qualifying offer, meaning they can match any offer he gets from another team (no matter the salary cap implications) and keep him.

Diallo can also sign the Pistons offer sheet, be an unrestricted free agent next year, and the Pistons are on the hook for that money for this season.

But where would they put him? Officially, there is no room for anyone.

Yes, deep bench players can be sent to the new Motor City Cruise in the G-League to get playing time, but they still count on the roster.

And what about Luka Garza, he looks like Bill Laimbeer 2.0?

Consensus National College Player of the Year Luka Garza has looked very good offensively in the Pistons first two summer league. Against the Rockets, only Cade Cunningham, scored more than his 15 points.

Yes, defense is an issue with him (although the other Detroit centers in summer league have not exactly covered themselves in glory on that end, either), but he can put the ball in the basket, from inside and outside.

Does Detroit want to give up on a rookie 6-foot-11, 22-year-old with a nice shooting touch?

Considering outside of Isaiah Stewart (who is only 6-foot-8 remember), Detroit’s current options at center are Jahlil Okafor (on last year of his contract) and Kelly Olynyk, who is probably more of a ‘4’. Letting Garza go does not not make much sense.

With Garza, there is also the high character issue. GM Troy Weaver and coach Dwane Casey talk so much about character you would think they were recruiting for the Boy Scouts.

Well, Garza fits the type of ‘culture’ they both emphasize to a ‘T’. He works very hard, is a total team guy, family oriented (check out his dad Frank’s Twitter account) and will do whatever it takes to carve out an NBA career.

Garza is the exact type of player Casey and Weaver say they want with the Pistons.

To just cut him kind of goes against what they have been consistently saying, about how they want to build with the Pistons. It is not like he is going to demand a lot of playing time or anything, Garza just wants a chance.