One of the feel good stories of NBA summer league for the Detroit Pistons was the play of point guard Charlie Moore. However, he has decided to head to Europe, instead of taking a shot at the NBA.
The Detroit Pistons had a huge official roster for the Las Vegas Summer League, but by the beginning of the second half of the second game, they were down to one point guard – 5-foot-11 undrafted free agent Charlie Moore, who had not even played in their opener.
With Jaden Ivey and Saben Lee injured and Killian Hayes already having played his one scheduled game, if Moore could not stand up to facing the young NBA players, first-round picks and others trying to get a pro job, Detroit’s summer league experience could have headed south.
But Moore played, really well.
In four games, Moore averaged 9.25 points (hitting 46.7% of his three-point shots), 6.75 assists and 2.75 rebounds.
Moore ended his summer league experience with a bang, as he scored 21 points and dished out eight assists (to just four turnovers), grabbing five rebounds, as Detroit finished on a high note, thrashing the Orlando Magic, 102-86.
Charlie Moore to go international
Moore is not some one-and-done kid. He turned 24 in February (meaning nine Pistons would be younger than him as a rookie if he was on this year’s team) and played at four colleges (California, Kansas, DePaul, Miami, Fla.) over six seasons.
Besides all the NBA personnel people, many foreign clubs also attend Las Vegas, looking to stock their teams. Not everyone can play in the NBA. While the money is not near the level of an NBA salary, players can get paid pretty well.
Moore’s deal with Detroit had been only for summer league. He was free to sign with anyone once the Orlando game was over. And he decided to take his talents to the Netherlands-Belgium League.
Here for it @cmoore3_ !! 👏 https://t.co/CyM3LIFwkc
— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) July 24, 2022
Belfius Mons-Hainaut is a team based in Mons, Belgium and play in the BNXT League, where the top club teams in Belgium and the Netherlands mostly compete.
Could Charlie Moore have been with Detroit Pistons?
He certainly might have been a decent NBA backup, or a good player for the Pistons’ G-League team, the Motor City Cruise. But, when everyone is available, Detroit already has a glut of point guards.
Ivey, Lee and Hayes are still there and won’t be sitting out regular season games. Cory Joseph is a veteran point guard who was a part-time starter last year. And, oh yeah, some guy named Cade Cunningham also can play that position.
Moore, now done with college after six years, looked at the players in front of him in Detroit and probably did the smart thing, taking a contract with a European club.
There are plenty of NBA scouts who work in Europe, so, if Moore continues to play well, he can return to the United States eventually for a chance at the NBA.
It looks like Charlie Moore’s Pistons experience was mutually beneficial. He saved Detroit from what could have been a rocky experience. and ended up netting a pro contract. Hey, if Moore likes chocolates, he is in the perfect spot.