The Detroit Pistons will enter the offseason with some cap space and a lot of holes to fill.
They need an upgrade of talent just about everywhere around Cade Cunningham, and though the 2022 group of NBA free agents isn’t great, there are a number of guys who could help.
The Phoenix Suns are a team that could go through some roster churn after getting eviscerated in game 7 of their second-round series with the Mavericks.
The biggest decisions the Suns will have to make are whether to bring back Deandre Ayton (more on that in a minute) and how much to offer Cameron Johnson in an extension.
The Detroit Pistons will be eager to get in on the Deandre Ayton market and could be the first team to call with a max offer sheet once free agency opens.
But Ayton isn’t the only guy the Detroit Pistons could pursue.
Detroit Pistons: 5 free agents from the Phoenix Suns
Elfrid Payton: Unrestricted free agent
Payton has definitely lost a step since his prime, when he was a quick, serviceable point guard for several different teams.
He really needed to improve his shooting to keep getting contracts in the NBA and he hasn’t. He’d be a veteran option on a minimum deal for the Pistons if Cory Joseph declined his player option (or was traded) and the Pistons waived Saben Lee.
I can’t see Detroit going this route unless they hav a roster spot to fill, which is very unlikely.
Aaron Holiday: Restricted free agent
Holiday would be an option if the Pistons wanted an upgrade in their guard ranks, as he is a good defender off the bench who can shoot the 3-ball, which are characteristics they need out of a third point guard.
Holiday is only 25 and is probably looking for a situation where he’ll have a chance to earn more minutes, so I’d list him as a possibility if the Pistons parted ways with Joseph, Lee and Carsen Edwards.
The Suns would be unlikely to match an offer in the Josh Jackson range and Holiday was a guy who scored 10 a game on 39.4 shooting from long range just two years ago. He definitely won’t be a top priority, but I could see the Pistons taking a flyer if he is still there late in free agency.