A range of bigs for the Pistons to consider in trades and free agency
The Detroit Pistons would still like to add a developmental big man this season or in the offseason, as they are thin at center and need additional rim protection.
The tried to add one in Bol Bol, but his trade was negated after he failed his physical, and the Pistons may have dodged a bullet there, as he came with some red flags.
There are a number of big men who might be available to take a flyer on this season in a low-level trade or try to sign in the offseason as a free agent.
The biggest name out there is obviously Deandre Ayton, who will be a restricted free agent and is a guy the Pistons will reportedly pursue in the offseason if he doesn’t re-sign in Phoenix.
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The Pistons lack what is being called a “bouncy big,” a guy with hops who can catch a lob, block shots and run the floor effectively. If he could run the pick-and-roll with Cade Cunningham, even better, but the better the player, the higher the cost for the Pistons.
Here are eight guys who fall into different categories. Some are young guys who could probably be had in a low-cost trade while others will cost more in terms of dollars or trade assets.
Big man options for the Detroit Pistons in trades or free agency
High-ceiling but unproven young guys
Moses Brown, Nic Claxton and Jaxson Hayes
These three guys all fall into the “high-ceiling but unproven” category, as all have flashed tantalizing talent at times, but all have huge flaws as well.
Brown is a bouncy 7-foot-2 center who has not played much for Dallas this season after playing very well at times last season in OKC, where he averaged over a block and just under nine rebounds per game in 21.4 minutes on average.
He doesn’t get much run for Dallas, so could probably he had for a low cost and his contract is only partially guaranteed next season, so the Pistons could take a flyer without much risk.
Claxton was starting to come on for the Nets before tweaking his hamstring, scoring in double digits in 7-of-8 games before his injury.
He’ll be a restricted free agent at the end of the season and the Nets will be up against the tax and may not be able to retain him. He’s averaging 1.2 blocks in 22.2 minutes per game this season.
Jaxson Hayes has been all over the news for the wrong reasons lately, as he just caught 12 misdemeanors for his dust-up with the LAPD last summer.
Hayes is oozing talent, but lacks basketball I.Q. and needs a place where he can get the reps he needs to properly learn how to play basketball. His value is pretty low right now and the Pistons might be able to get a high-ceiling talent for cheap if they wanted to take a chance on Hayes.