The Detroit Pistons are starting to assemble the pieces necessary to contend for a title.
They hopefully have their superstar in Cade Cunningham, a player to build around who will make everyone on the team better.
They have core role players in Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart, solid players who could blossom into much more over the next few seasons.
They have their veteran leader in Jerami Grant, and guys like Kelly Olynyk, Josh Jackson and Hamidou Diallo, who will all play key parts.
The Detroit Pistons are loaded with athletic defenders, and the shooting should be improved with the additions of Cunningham, Olynyk and possibly 2nd-round pick Luka Garza.
The Pistons will also have a big advantage next offseason when they will be one of the few teams with copious amounts of cap space.
So what are they going to do with it?
Detroit Pistons: Targeting a shooter in free agency
The biggest weakness in the Pistons’ starting lineup as of right now is the second guard spot next to Cade Cunningham.
Hopefully Killian Hayes is going to step up and become that guy, as he has flashed elite level defense and passing but still hasn’t shown he can score consistently enough.
Even if he does, the Pistons will still need more shooting, as having two creators and ball handlers requires floor spacers for maximum effectiveness.
With few unrestricted free agents to choose from, the Detroit Pistons might have to target a shooter who is restricted meaning they would have to make an offer that their current team refused to match.
Here are two guys who fit the description, as they are plus shooters who are on teams that are pressed for cap space and may not be able to afford them.
Detroit Pistons: 2022 NBA free agents-Donte DiVincenzo
Donte DiVencenzo is a guy the Detroit Pistons should keep an eye on this season.
He plays for the Bucks, who won’t have any cap space next offseason after re-signing their “Big 3” to massive extensions. They can go over the cap to keep him, as Milwaukee has his Bird Rights, but the question is whether they see him as part of the long-term plans.
DiVincenzo is a guy who is making just over $3 million this season, so he could put himself in line for a big raise if he continues to improve his shooting.
But DiVincenzo proved last year that he is more than just a shooter, as he averaged 10.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
He did shoot 37.9 percent from long range on 5.2 attempts per game last season, but hopes to improve on those numbers and up the volume in a bigger role this season.
He is a guy who would fit nicely with what Detroit is building, as he is not just a one-dimensional player but a guy who can grab boards, make plays and not get killed on defense.
He is still only 24-years-old so fits with the Pistons timeline for contention. He’s another tough and smart player from Villanova who fits the profile of what the Pistons are building and would add more shooting alongside Cade Cunningham.
Detroit Pistons: 2022 NBA free agents- Kevin Huerter
Kevin Huerter is another guy who fits what the Detroit Pistons need and might become available if his current team the Atlanta Hawks doesn’t want to match a big offer.
Huerter is not as well-rounded as DiVencenzo but is probably the better scorer and shooter overall, though his shooting percentage and number of attempts dipped slightly last season.
At his best, Huerter is a guy who has shot 38 percent from 3-point range on six attempts per game, so he can be the high-volume 3-point threat that the Pistons currently lack.
He has also shown he can be a key part of a winning team, and is still very young at just 22-years-old, so he would be a perfect fit with the Pistons’ young core.
Both he and DiVincenzo have great size for shooting guards and can also slide over and play some wing as a backup to Saddiq Bey.
If the Pistons trade Josh Jackson or let him walk in free agency, they should look to replace him with a guard with similar size who can do the thing Jackson can’t, which is shoot.
I think the Detroit Pistons can use their cap space to steal one of these two restricted free agents and either would be a big upgrade to their shooting.