Return or Burn: Which free agents should the Pistons bring back?
Detroit Pistons team options: Return or burn?
Alec Burks, Club Option – $10 million
Burks has had a vintage season for the Pistons at 31-years-old. The veteran has bounced around the league, stopping in six other cities before arriving in the D. He has to have exceeded Weaver’s expectations with his play. The man is knocking down 3’s at a career-high 43.5 percent clip. In 22 minutes a night he’s scoring nearly 13 points, grabbing a couple of boards and dishing out a couple of assists, and registering nearly one steal. Solid play from such a vagabond. Maybe mercenary is a better word, given how he’s been such an assassin from downtown.
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Burks is one of the best 3-point shooters in the league, and if the Pistons weren’t going to bring him back, they likely would have traded him already. If Weaver’s goal is truly to “be great next year” then they will need veterans like Burks. He’s not going anywhere unless the Pistons need his contract to make a big trade.
Conclusion: Return
Nerlens Noel, Club Option – $9.2 million
A harder decision than whether to return or burn Noel would be which color ink to use when writing burn. I’d use a bold red color had I the option. Jalen Duren, James Wiseman, Isaiah Stewart, Marvin Bagley and Chuck Nevitt have all meant more to the franchise than Noel. He’s now sitting at home, collecting checks, which should tell you all you need to know. He’s not going to be a Piston next season. He arguably isn’t even one now.
Conclusion: Burn