Detroit Pistons: Best free-agent fits after the 2022 NBA Draft

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Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns looks to drive against Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) /

Detroit Pistons in free agency: Option #2

Deandre Ayton

Now that the Detroit Pistons have bolstered their center ranks, Deandre Ayton may no longer be the best option.

If you look at both the Warriors and Celtics from this year’s Finals, neither had a traditional center or a guy who is considered “elite,” especially on the offensive end.

The Pistons could opt to go with a center by committee approach, using a combination of Stewart, Duren, Bagley III and Kelly Olynyk, all who have different strengths and skills.

There are some who believe investing big money in a center is a foolhardy approach in today’s NBA, where wings and guards are far more valuable unless you can get a guy like Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic.

The Pistons still have the cap space to make an offer for Ayton, but they may not need to now, and might find better ways to invest their money. Of course, adding Ayton would give them an outstanding big man rotation and would allow them to trade Kelly Olynyk, so it is still possible, but center is no longer a huge position of need.