The Detroit Pistons were one of the worst offensive teams in the NBA last season, finishing 28th in the league points per game.
They have added some firepower in Jaden Ivey and Alec Burks, but could still use more scoring around Cade Cunningham, who had to carry an insane offensive burden as a rookie.
The Pistons came into the offseason with the most cap space of any team in the NBA but with little to spend it on, as the top free agents either stayed put or went to other teams.
But one of the top restricted free agents, Collin Sexton of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is still on the market and has reportedly received what some would call a lowball offer from the Cavs:
Report: Cleveland has offered Collin Sexton “a three-year deal worth around $40 million.”
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 24, 2022
(via @ChrisFedor, https://t.co/clGOseMHMq) pic.twitter.com/6CD8sSIuey
Sexton is coming off an injury, but this is a guy who scored 24 points per game in his last full season, so if that offer is legit, it does seem low, especially considering that is basically what the Detroit Pistons just paid to retain Marvin Bagley III, who has also had injury issues and has not been nearly as productive as Sexton.
It would be surprising if some other team didn’t try to swoop in and steal Sexton away from the Cavaliers, but should that team be the Detroit Pistons?
Do the Detroit Pistons really need Collin Sexton?
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavaliers are pretty confident that no one is going to top their offer and they might be right.
There isn’t a big market for Sexton at the moment, mostly because the teams with cap space already used it and not every team really needs an undersized, shoot-first guard coming off a serious injury.
The Pistons might be in that camp after drafting Jaden Ivey, who is an explosive scoring guard just like Sexton and a guy Detroit is now building around along with Cade Cunningham.
When it comes to needs, guards are not high atop the list, as the Pistons could actually use more forward depth. However, what they really need is players who can score and Sexton is a proven scorer who is a career 38 percent 3-point shooter.
So while Sexton wouldn’t fill a glaring need positionally, he would potentially give the Detroit Pistons another explosive scorer who could definitely outplay the contract he’s being offered.
I’ve written about some of the pros and cons of Collin Sexton on the Pistons, but can they even afford him?