The Detroit Pistons are entering one of their most important offseasons in ages with a chance to bolster their roster and take the next step as a franchise.
They’ll have a top-7 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, some amount of cap space to spend (depending on what they do with their own guys) and some ammunition to make a trade.
After the Atlanta Hawks were eliminated from the playoffs, we talked about the possibility of a shake up that could lead to several of their guys being available on the free-agent market or in trades.
Last night, the Bulls were also eliminated, ending a season that was once full of promise but was undone by injuries.
The Bulls already have a ton of money tied up in DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso for next season, in addition to a super max contract looming for Zach LaVine.
The Bulls’ brass have to be wondering if a first-round playoff exit is the ceiling of this current team or if they are the team that was 1st or 2nd in the Eastern Conference for much of the season and just had some bad luck with injuries.
Either way, the Bulls are going to have some decisions to make, as they clearly need a few roster upgrades and a have a number of free agents and guys entering the final year of their deal.
The Detroit Pistons will have cap space and might have some degree of interest in six different players from the Bulls.
Detroit Pistons: Possible low-cost free agents from the Chicago Bulls
Troy Brown Jr.: Restricted free agent
Troy Brown Jr. is an interesting case, as he is just 22-years-old and flashed some talent this season and in the past. The Bulls clearly thought he had another level since they traded Daniel Gafford to Washington for him, but so far Brown Jr. hasn’t found it.
He did shoot a career-high 35.3 percent from 3-point range and improved his defense, but it’s hard to see the Bulls continuing to throw money at the former 1st-round pick. His QO is $7.2 million and I’d be shocked if the Bulls made it considering he’d almost certainly just accept the huge raise and be an unrestricted free agent next season. It’s more likely he hits the market.
He’s a potential low-cost guy to take a flyer on, as the talent is there, he is still very young and could potentially outplay a minimum deal. Troy Weaver has gone after guys like this in the past (Josh Jackson), so Brown Jr. might get some interest from the Pistons as a former 15th pick who might be a late bloomer.
Tony Bradley: Player option
Another first-round pick who hasn’t panned out, Tony Bradley is a 6-foot-10 center who played his best with OKC last season, averaging 8.7 points and 6.1 rebounds on 65 percent shooting in 22 games.
Bradley has a player option for $2 million next season which he would be nuts to turn down, as he’s not likely to do better on the open market. He’d be a potential 3rd center option who is still just 24-years-old, but probably isn’t going anywhere.
Matt Thomas: Unrestricted free agent
If the Detroit Pistons wanted a shooter for their deep bench, then shooting guard Matt Thomas could be a cheap option. He has shot over 40 percent from 3-point range in his career, albeit in very limited playing time, and he will be on a league minimum deal. He’s a potential end-of-the-bench shooter that Detroit could take a flyer on if they have an open roster spot.