The Detroit Pistons are certainly having a very exciting offseason so far. They drafted a guard who can get to the rim at will in Jaden Ivey, and added an imposing big man with even bigger potential in Jalen Duren. Despite adding two lottery picks, the Pistons are still missing one thing.
That thing would be three point shooting.
Despite Ivey’s strengths, he is only a career 32% from behind the arc during his two years at Purdue. As a result, it would make sense to add a pure shooter in free agency and hopefully improve the teams 29th ranked three point shooting percentage.
Who is that shooter you ask? The Pistons could go in a lot of different directions as they have the most cap space in the NBA. However, the name that makes the most sense to me is Bryn Forbes.
It is time for the Lansing native and former Michigan State player to come home.
Reasons why Detroit Pistons should sign Bryn Forbes
First, and foremost, Forbes fits the bill of what the Pistons need. He’s a knock-down shooter who has hit 41% of his threes over his career. In terms of pure shooters, you won’t find a better one on the market.
This makes him the ideal compliment to guys like Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes and the rookie Ivey. Those three excel at getting to the rim, and the offense will typically run through them. A floor spacer who doesn’t need to dominate the ball, like Forbes, is the perfect fit next to this young core of guards.
Forbes can step in and solidify the backup shooting guard position. He averaged 17 minutes per game last season, and is no stranger to coming off the bench. In fact, this has been his role his entire career, and we’ve seen him do it at the highest level.
Let us not forget Forbes’ impact with the Milwaukee Bucks and their championship team. He shot 37% from three in the 2021 postseason, which is right on par with his five years worth of playoffs averages. Forbes is tried and true on the biggest stage.
Having won a championship and being a six-year veteran in the league, Forbes brings a degree of experience and leadership that the Pistons just don’t currently have (except maybe Cory Joseph).
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Having been to the playoffs with the Bucks, Spurs and Nuggets, Forbes has seen first hand what it takes to be a winning team. As much as we’re all excited about the young talent on this team, there will always be a need for this type of veteran presence, to help show the young guys how things are done.
Would Bryn Forbes want to come to Detroit?
Now the biggest question is if Forbes would want to come to Detroit. After all, the Motor City isn’t known to be a big time free agent destination.
However, I don’t think that would be an issue in this case.
Forbes is from Michigan. He went to high school in Lansing and played college ball at Michigan State. It might be hyperbolic to call him the hometown hero, but if Forbes were to help turn his local Detroit Pistons team into a contender, then that’s exactly what he would be.