The Detroit Pistons have stated repeatedly that they hope and plan to compete for at least a play-in spot in the 2023-24 season.
Bojan Bogdanovic confirmed this in a recent report in which he said the team not only planned to keep him but to be “great next season.”
I am skeptical that the Pistons can suddenly go from one fo the worst teams in the NBA to great, but we’ve seen it in recent years with teams like the Cavaliers, who went from bottom feeder to playoff contender in one offseason and now are 5th seed in the Eastern Conference hoping to make a deep run.
The NBA is as wide-open as it’s been in recent memory, so the idea of going from the bottom to the middle is not out of the question, especially if the Detroit Pistons make the right trades or additions in free agency.
Even after signing Bogdanovic to an extension, the Pistons will have copious amounts of cap space this offseason and could sign as many as 3-4 players depending on what they do with their own guys.
Yes, they still need more star power, but just as important is adding quality role players instead of the types they’ve signed in recent years. Replacing guys like Kevin Knox, Nerlens Noel, Cory Joseph and Rodney McGruder (and to a lesser extent Hamidou Diallo) with players who can consistently impact games will go a long way to get the Detroit Pistons the improvement they desire.
Here are three free agents that could help get them there, starting with a low-cost bench player, a middle of the range guy and a player who will likely be on a starter’s salary.
Detroit Pistons: Lower tier free agent
Torrey Craig: Phoenix Suns (unrestricted)
Torrey Craig is the type of player that all good teams need, as he will do a little of everything, can defend multiple positions and is at the stage of his career where he knows his role and performs it well.
He’s a 6-foot-7 small forward who can guard on the perimeter or up as a four, and is knocking down just shy of 40 percent from 3-point range this season. He’s a tough, gritty player who competes at all times and would be great competition and inspiration for the young guys, as he’s not going to be content being a “mentor” or a “veteran leader.” Detroit has too many of those types of veterans already, so needs an upgrade of an older player who can actually still play and be an important part of a good team, which Craig has proven he can be with the Suns and Nuggets.
His next contact won’t break the bank and he’d be a valuable addition to the Detroit Pistons’ bench.
Detroit Pistons: Middle tier free agent
Josh Hart (player option)
Hart is another guy that I’ve long wanted on the Detroit Pistons, as he has the attitude and game that could help change the culture into a winning one.
Hart has a player option for next season that most think he will decline in search of a more lucrative deal, one that Portland will not likely be able to offer. He’s a guy the Pistons could try to trade for at the deadline, but it’s more likely that they would just wait until he hits free agency.
Hart is another guard/wing who can defend just about any position, gives 100 percent effort at all times and is a great rebounder on the wing, something the Pistons definitely need. He’s never been a great 3-point shooter, but he gets out in transition and is a great finisher at the rim when he does.
Hart will push his teammates in practice and can slide into just about any lineup, so he can play big minutes whether as a starter or off the bench. He’s likely to get a deal somewhere in the 4 years/$64 million range, so is a guy the Detroit Pistons can afford.
The Pistons need more players who consistently compete on defense and Hart is one of them. He’s not an All-Star but his teammates and coaches have all loved him because of what he brings to a winning culture.
Detroit Pistons: Upper tier free agent
Dillon Brooks (unrestricted)
Like Hart, Brooks is 27-years-old, so signing him now would net the Detroit Pistons most of his prime.
Brooks is a 6-foot-7 wing who can guard a couple of spots effectively and he’s been the heart and soul of the Grizzlies’ defense that is top-10 in the NBA this season.
Also like Hart, he’s not a great 3-point shooter, but he makes up for it by defending and making winning plays. He’s also a tough player who competes at all times and has been a part of a winning organization for most of his career.
Some would not consider him an “upper tier” free agent and that’s fine, but he’s likely to get $20 million plus per season on his next contract and will be one of the most coveted players this offseason.
Brooks’ numbers have dipped a little this season, which could be concerning to some, but he’d give the Detroit Pistons another tough defender on the wing who can push their young players to be their best.
None of these three free agents are All-Stars and never will be, but they’d be great complements to what the Pistons already have, help improve their overall level of defense and competition and potentially get them in the hunt for the play-in or even the playoffs next season.