Detroit Pistons: 4 potential offseason targets from the Utah Jazz

The Detroit Pistons will be keeping an eye on eliminated playoff teams like the Utah Jazz that could shake things up this offseason.

We’ve already taken a look at several eliminated playoff teams that might have offseason targets for the Detroit Pistons.

So far in this series we’ve looked at some interesting names from the Atlanta Hawks, who were disappointing this season and might want to make some changes.

Yesterday, we examined the Chicago Bulls, who could have a lot of roster churn with six guys who could draw some degree of interest from Detroit.

Today, we’ll take a look at the recently-eliminated Utah Jazz, who are another team that could shake things up after a disappointing ending to a season that some of us thought might end in the Finals (oops).

Detroit Pistons: Free agents possibilities on the Utah Jazz

The Jazz don’t have any clear options for the Pistons, though they do have a trio of players who would offer decent value as veteran defenders, and one guy who is intriguing enough to take a flyer on if the Jazz let him go.

Hassan Whiteside: Unrestricted free agent

Whiteside still blocked 1.6 shots in just under 18 minutes per game, which would have easily led the Pistons this season. He can’t do much else, but if Detroit was looking for a 3rd center and he wanted to take the league minimum, he’d be worth a flyer. I highly doubt that is going to happen, but a veteran big who can block shots would be a welcome addition. Just maybe not this particular veteran.

Eric Paschall: Restricted free agent

Paschall pretty much dropped off the map since his rookie season when he averaged 14 game for the Warriors and made the first-team All-Rookie squad. His minutes and numbers have dipped for the last two seasons, though he did improve from the 3-point line this year, hitting 37 percent of his shots on just under two attempts per game. He’s a tough player from Villanova (like Saddiq Bey) and is still only 25, so he might be worth a flyer on a minimum deal. His QO is $2.2 million and the Jazz aren’t likely to offer it, so the Pistons could potentially get him on a minimum deal to be an end-of-the-bench guy but they might be a year ahead of making those kinds of moves.

Danuel House Jr.: Unrestricted free agent

Of these three, House Jr. is probably the most interesting, as he somewhat rebuilt his value after being a pretty good 3-and-D wing for Houston a few years back. He was on a league minimum this season and probably will be again. He’s a tough defender who can knock down a 3-point shot. There probably isn’t a spot for him on the Detroit Pistons unless they let several guys go, but he’s a scrappy and versatile defender who shot 37.6 percent from 3-point range.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker: Expiring contract

NAW ended up on Utah after originally being traded from New Orleans to Portland in the CJ McCollum deal. Alexander-Walker is an intriguing player who played very little for the Jazz after being traded there. The Jazz already exercised his $5.2 million team option for next season, but if he is not part of the long-term plans, could look to trade him to recoup some value and the 2nd-round pick they gave up to get him. NAW hasn’t put it all together but this guy has star talent and is only 23-years-old. He had some huge games for the Pelicans, but they ultimately grew impatient with his lack of growth. If the Detroit Pistons could get him for a couple of second-round picks, he’s a guy I would 100% take a flyer on, as he is a big, skilled shooting guard who has shown he can drop 30+ in an NBA game on a given night. Eventually, I think he’s going to be a quality bench player who can come in an give you buckets in bunches. He also has good length and was starting to really hone his defense before being traded to Utah.

If he becomes available, he’s the type of low-risk/high-upside type player the Pistons should keep going after until one of them sticks. The Pistons have the patience and minutes to let him develop, so he’s a name to watch if the Jazz decide they need to clear more cap space to try and reload around Donovan Mitchell before he wants to bolt to greener pastures.

Stay tuned, as we’ll be looking at all of the playoff teams this offseason to identify players who might be a fit with the Detroit Pistons.