Detroit Pistons: A risky free agent guard from the Miami Heat

The Detroit Pistons need talent upgrades and will look for them in the 2022 NBA Draft, trades and free agency.

Detroit needs more talent at guard behind Cade Cunningham, and could go that direction in the Draft if they fall outside of the top-3 picks.

The free agent group at guard this offseason is not very deep with star talent once you get past the top, but there are a few interesting names, including one former All-Star who is making his way back from injury.

Victor Oladipo has played just 14 games for the Miami Heat this season (six in the playoffs) and is showing that he can still play at a high level. While Duncan Robinson (and his benching) have been the focus of Pistons’ rumors, Oladipo may offer a much better fit and value.

Is he a possible free-agent option for the Detroit Pistons?

Detroit Pistons: Victor Oladipo is a risk/reward gamble

The Miami Heat rolled the dice on Oladipo this season even though they knew he’d have to miss most of it recovering from injury.

He signed a 1 year/$2.3 million deal in an attempt to rebuild his value and possibly help the Heat in the playoffs, which he is doing now. He’s averaged double digits off the bench, playing just over 28 minutes per game in the Heat’s two series so far.

Oladipo is three years removed from is last All-Star season, and has played in just 19, 33 and 8 games since, hardly inspiring, but he is still only 29-years-old, can still play (he dropped 40 points and 10 rebounds on the tanking Magic late in the season) and may finally be healthy.

If he is, he’s a guy that the Heat would love to get back on another value contract, but they won’t have a lot to spend if some other teams wanted to get involved in a bidding war for his services.

Oladipo potentially fills a need for the Pistons, as he would be an upgrade at shooting guard, a guy who defends the position well, can score and take some of the pressure off of Cade Cunningham.

If the Detroit Pistons strike out on the top guys, I could see them taking a flyer on Oladipo if the price was right, as they have taken chances on rehab projects in the recent past. It also depends on what Oladipo wants at this stage of his career, as he may be inclined to take less money to join a contender.

But if he wants a bigger role, the Detroit Pistons are a team that could offer him one. When healthy he’s a hard-nosed player who could potentially start at the two depending on what the Pistons do in the draft, or come off the bench and form a dynamic defensive backcourt with Killian Hayes.

If the Pistons could get Oladipo on a deal in the Cory Joseph range, he would be worth the risk, but it’s very possible some other team will beat that offer or be a more attractive destination to Oladipo.

What do you think? Is he worth the risk at the right price or should the Detroit Pistons look elsewhere?