Pistons: 2nd-tier free agents if Detroit strikes out on top guys

Detroit Pistons: 2nd-tier 2022 NBA Free Agents

Malik Monk: Shooting guard

Malik Monk bet on himself when he signed a one-year deal with the Lakers, as he wanted to prove that he could be a more productive player.

It worked out, as he has arguably been the second-best player on the Lakers this season (not counting the injured Anthony Davis) and is having career highs in just about everything.

He is shooting 38.7 percent from 3-point range on 5.7 attempts per game, numbers that would look good coming off the Pistons’ bench.

He’s still only 24 years old and has gotten better every season he’s been in the league, so there is a chance he has another level beyond this one.

But Monk is likely to get a substantial raise from the $1.7 million he made this season and will be looking to cash in on a longer team deal, probably something more in the 4 years/$40 million range.

Is he worth that?

If the Pistons were a contender for a title, then spending mid-range money on Monk might make sense, as he is the type of role player that every good team needs, but for a team in rebuilding mode, mid-level guys are rarely the answer.

I like his 3-point shooting and upside, but his contract demands will probably price him out of the Pistons’ range.

As you can see, the free-agent scene this offseason is not great and the Detroit Pistons will have to be careful not pay too much for the wrong guy just for the sake of doing something.