The Detroit Pistons will have another high draft pick and plenty of cap space this offseason to add impact players.
The problem is that there aren’t a lot of top guys in free agency, and the guys who are there are unlikely to end up in Detroit for various reasons.
Deandre Ayton and Miles Bridges are both restricted free agents who can get more money staying with their current teams.
Zach LaVine would be the best get for the Pistons, but if he decides to leave Chicago (for less money) there will be a long line of suitors.
Guys like James Harden, Bradley Beal and Kyrie Irving are highly unlikely to come to Detroit, who picked a bad year to have more cap space than any other team.
I’d love to believe that the Pistons could land Ayton, draft in the top-3 and contend for the playoffs next season, but the truth is that they may have to settle for second-tier free agents or maybe none at all.
I’ve written that this is the most important offseason in years, and who the Pistons choose NOT to sign will be just as important as who they do.
So this list of second-tier free agents is not a recommendation, more to show what else is out there and that the Pistons’ options could be limited.
Here are some second-tier unrestricted free agents who could fill needs for the Detroit Pistons if they strike out on their top targets.
Detroit Pistons: 2nd-tier 2022 NBA Free Agents
Gary Harris: Shooting guard
Shooting is clearly the Pistons’ biggest weakness and has been all season. They are next to last in 3-point shooting and dead last in 2-point shooting, so this team needs efficient shooters at all three levels.
Harris is a 27-year-old who shoots 38.4 percent from long range on five attempts per game this season for the Magic. He’s a proven double-digit bench scorer who will occasionally have a big game. He had a streak of scoring double digits in 21-of-22 games the season and would give the Pistons a reliable hand in the second unit.
But is he really that big an upgrade over Frank Jackson? Jackson has been disappointing this season, mostly because of injuries, and has a team option for next season that the Pistons may decide not to pick up.
Harris would be a nice addition to the bench, but it really depends on cost, as he is coming off a $20 million salary this season, but won’t get nearly that on his next deal.
Ultimately, I’d pass in favor of the internal options unless Harris was willing to take minimum deal.
Next!
Detroit Pistons: 2nd-tier 2022 NBA Free Agents
Jusuf Nurkic: Center
Some fans of the Detroit Pistons have identified center as the biggest position of need, and while I don’t agree, Detroit could definitely use another big, either a cheap, rim running backup to be the third guy or a starter who could push Isaiah Stewart to the bench.
The Pistons also have Kelly Olynyk to consider, and he may end up being the odd man out if they sign another big or draft one.
Nurkic has been solid in his career with Portland, a steady 15 points, 11 rebounds guy who is a physical defender, though he doesn’t block many shots.
The problem with Nurkic is that he doesn’t provide the rim protection, transition buckets and athleticism that the Pistons need, so even though he’d ben an upgrade, it wouldn’t be in an area of need.
Also, Isaiah Stewart will probably get close to those numbers next season and will still be on his rookie deal and Nurkic made $12 million the season and will probably be looking for more.
He’s another guy I would pass on, as I don’t see him moving the needle and the Pistons need guys who can shoot more than they need another below-the-rim big.
Detroit Pistons: 2nd-tier 2022 NBA Free Agents
TJ Warren: Forward
One of the most intriguing unrestricted free agents this offseason is TJ Warren, who is coming off a season-ending injury.
He is reportedly fully recovered, but will sit out the remainder of the Pacers’ games to prepare for next season.
When healthy, Warren is a guy who can get you 20 a game and shoot over 40 percent from 3-point range as a forward with size, which is something the Pistons could use, especially if they end up trading Jerami Grant.
Warren would give them a solid backup option or a possible starter if they draft a young power forward who is not ready.
He is a solid two-way forward, but has been injury prone for most of his career, so he is not a guy the Pistons would be comfortable investing heavily in.
If he were willing to play on a short-term deal to rebuild his value, then there might be some interest, as he fits the mold of the long, two-way forward that Troy Weaver likes.
But with such a weak free-agent class, Warren might end up with a fat deal even with the injury concerns. If so, Detroit should run away, but if that offer never comes and he can be had at a bargain, I would at least kick the tires.
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.