The Detroit Pistons were one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA last season, so will be looking to add shooters any way they can.
The Pistons already signed Buddy Boeheim to a two-way contract, but he was disappointing in Summer League and has a long way to go defensively before he’ll sniff the NBA.
Detroit will take another shot at a shooter in Micah Potter, who they reportedly signed to an Exhibit 10 contract according to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype:
Sources: The Detroit Pistons have agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with center Micah Potter, @hoopshype has learned. Potter previously signed a 10-day contract with Detroit last season after being named to the G League All-Rookie Team.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 26, 2022
The Pistons are familiar with Potter after signing him to a 10-day contract late last season. He played three games for Detroit and didn’t do much, but the 6-foot-10 forward put up impressive numbers in the G-League, averaging 17 points and 9.9 rebounds while shooting over 44 percent from 3-point range.
The Motor City Cruise had recently traded for Potter’s returning player rights, and he will likely play the season in the G-League, but could he shoot his way onto the Pistons’ roster?
Detroit Pistons: Could Micah Potter make the team?
We know that the Pistons need shooting and Potter can shoot. He hit over 38 percent from long range over his four-year college career and knocked them down at a high clip in the G-League.
But college and G-League aren’t the NBA, as we’ve seen with Saben Lee, who looks like a Hall-of-Famer in the G-League but hasn’t been able to do it in the NBA.
Potter is a skilled big man on the offensive end who can shoot from all over and moves well off the ball. The big question is whether or not he can defend in the NBA, as he’s not a shot blocker and isn’t quick enough to stay in front of wings on the perimeter.
Detroit does have a shortage of forwards that can shoot, so if Potter can show that his shooting outweighs his defensive limitations, it’s possible he could get a look with Detroit.
Potter’s Exhibit 10 contract could be converted to a two-way if the Pistons like what they see, which would require cutting either Boeheim or forward Braxton Key, who was a standout in Summer League.
This will be a training camp battle to watch, as both Potter and Boeheim are below average defenders, so the better shooter might end up getting that two-way deal.
Potter will likely be spending most of the season the G-League but teams are always looking for bigs who can stretch the floor, so he may be able to shoot his way onto the roster at some point next season.