A pesky defender the Detroit Pistons should target this offseason

The Detroit Pistons finished with the worst record in the league this season and didn’t have a whole lot to hang their hats on.

They were near the bottom of the league in both offense and defense, allowed a franchise worst amount of points and shot worse than any team in the NBA.

The lack of improvement on defense might have been the final straw for coach Dwane Casey, and the Pistons will prioritize a defensive mindset when it comes to finding their new head coach.

The team was just 27th in defensive efficiency and opponent’s points allowed this season and just 21st in steals, so these are areas they have to improve.

But finding the right coach is only part of the equation, as the Detroit Pistons also need better defenders and big-time improvement from the guys they already have, including rookies Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren.

They definitely need more defense on the wing, as Saddiq Bey (who has since been shipped off to Atlanta) and Bojan Bogdanovic were among the worst wing defenders in the NBA this season.

But they could also use some help in the guard ranks, especially off the bench, and there is one potential free agent who stands out.

A pesky defender the Detroit Pistons should target this offseason

The Detroit Pistons already have one pretty good guard defender who figures to come off the bench next season in Killian Hayes, though there is always a chance they will move him this offseason.

Even if they keep Hayes, it’s likely veterans Cory Joseph and Rodney McGruder won’t return next season, and we didn’t see enough defense or shooting from RJ Hampton to make him a lock to come back on his team option.

The Pistons could use a tough veteran who defends to raise the level of competition and on-the-ball defense. One option is Jevon Carter, who has a player option for next season that he could turn down, making him a free agent.

Carter is currently a backup for Milwaukee, one of the best defensive teams in the league, and is the type of tough, on-the-ball defender the Pistons currently lack consistently off their bench.

Carter ranked first among players who provided the most on-the-ball pressure, and he also passes the eye test as a guy who comes in and disrupts the other team:

The Pistons already have quick players like Jaden Ivey who can jump into passing lanes for steals, so having a guy who puts pressure on the ball should net them a few more swipes.

Carter can also shoot, as he hit 42 percent of his 3-point shots on 4.2 attempts per game and is just under 40 percent for his career. So he’s not just a one dimensional player and would help bolster two weaknesses for the Pistons.

Jevon Carter is not the splashy name Pistons’ fans are hoping for in free agency, but he should be part of the plan, as Detroit can potentially get him for similar money as Cory Joseph and he provides more value as a defender.