2 Pistons that earned untouchable status, 4 that should be cut loose

Detroit Pistons: 4 players that should be cut loose

Marvin Bagley III

Marvin Bagley III is the only player on the “cut loose” list who has a guaranteed deal for next season, a contact that Troy Weaver should have never offered.

The $25 million guaranteed that MBIII has coming to him over the next two seasons looked bad enough before they went out and got another center.

MBIII can’t play power forward, that much is clear and if the Pistons go into next season pencilling him in for that job I have to question whether anyone involved with that decision should have a job.

He’s a one-dimensional backup center on a team that already has two young centers to go along with Isaiah Stewart, another guy being forced into playing power forward.

MBIII can’t shoot or defend well enough on the perimeter to play with another big, which relegates him to the third center and he’s making too much money for that role.

You could say that the Pistons had so many injuries this year that they need to keep at least three bigs, but Bagley III was the one who was injured the most, so it’s not like he’s some Iron Man who the Pistons can ride in a pinch.

He’s not going to be easy to move given his style of play and contract, but this experiment needs to end. I would add that the whole “take a risk on a bust” experiment can go as well. It hasn’t worked and there are usually very good reasons why these “high ceiling” talents are available for nothing.