When the Detroit Pistons drafted Cade Cunningham number one, he instantly became the focus of every story coming out of Detroit.
This was to be expected, as the fan base has been waiting a long time for a player to build around and Cunningham has the makings of a superstar.
Cunningham has overshadowed everything else, which is why I think there were a few offseason moves by the Detroit Pistons that went largely overlooked.
The Pistons are not contenders yet but they made some savvy moves that were underrated by the national and even local media.
Detroit Pistons: Frank Jackson is a value contract
I am probably alone on Frank Jackson island, but I love this guy. Maybe it’s the hair, maybe it’s because he’s an underdog who had to earn his way onto the roster, or maybe it’s that he plays extremely hard whenever he’s on the floor, but I love Frank Jackson.
I especially love him on the low-ball deal the Pistons got him on, as he signed a 2 year/$6.2 million contract, likely to be the Pistons’ instant offense off the bench.
But Jackson has shown he might evolve into more. He shot over 40 percent from 3-point range and could earn himself a bigger role this season.
Even though he is entering his 4th year, Jackson is still just 23-years-old, less than a year older than second-year man Saddiq Bey.
The Detroit Pistons took a low-cost flyer on Jackson having another level, but even if he stays where he is now, it’s a bargain for a guy who will make an impact.
I don’t expect anyone else to be as excited as I am about Frank Jackson, but I’m glad to have him back and think it was a great low-cost move for the Detroit Pistons.
Speaking of low-cost additions…
Detroit Pistons: Isaiah Livers will end up being a quality NBA player
A 2nd move that I thought was underrated was one that looks more to the future than the present and that’s the signing of Isaiah Livers.
The Pistons signed Livers to a 3 year/$4.46 contract even though he is coming off an injury and may not even step on a basketball court until November.
Livers may not contribute right away, so why would the Detroit Pistons sign him to a three year deal when they’ve not even seen him play?
The reason is because Livers is 100 percent a Troy Weaver guy and has all of the skills to thrive as a role player for the Pistons.
Livers is a 6-foot-7 forward who gives maximum effort on defense and can guard multiple positions. He is also from Kalamazoo and grew up cheering for the Pistons. He also shot 43 percent from 3-point range on five attempts per game for the Wolverines last season.
Livers is not only going to be a fan favorite, but will provide the type of defense and hustle you want from bench players when you have a star like Cade Cunningham.
The Pistons need to get as many of these 3-and-D types as possible, as Cunningham is going to have the ball in his hands most of the time so putting guys around him who can shoot is a must.
Yes, this move will use some cap space, but not much and if Livers starts contributing off the bench the way I think he will, it will look like a bargain. Low-cost players who contribute are valuable commodities in the NBA, as it allows the team to focus their money on the stars.
Livers will end up being one of those guys who doesn’t make much but is a key part of a good team.
Detroit Pistons: Kelly Olynyk was an underrated signing
The Pistons’ big free agent acquisition of the offseason was Kelly Olynyk, who signed a 3 year/$37 million deal to replace Mason Plumlee.
This signing didn’t get much attention in the whirlwind of NBA free agency, as Olynyk is not an All-Star and wasn’t joining a contender, but it was low key a great signing for the Pistons.
Olynyk is a big who can play both power forward and center, which should give coach Dwane Casey a lot of lineup options.
He can also shoot the 3-point shot and has knocked down over 40 percent of them several times in his career. NBA.com has Kelly Olynyk ranked as the #10 power forward in the NBA, and though I don’t really agree with that assessment (no Jerami Grant?), the Pistons got a top-10 guy at his position for slightly more than they were paying Mason Plumlee.
What I am most excited about is how Kelly Olynyk will help the development of Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes, as he will open up space and give them a quality big to work with in the pick-and-roll.
Olynyk is not going to be the guy to take the Pistons to a title, but he is a very good piece that they are getting on a low-cost deal. The third year is a team option and the contract is very moveable if Detroit wanted to use it in a trade.
None of these moves got much hype but they are three low-cost additions who will make an impact for the Detroit Pistons.