Detroit Pistons: One free agent who hasn’t helped his case in the playoffs

The Detroit Pistons will head into the offseason with the cap space to alter their roster in free agency.

It’s a tricky proposition, as there aren’t any superstars likely headed their way, so choosing where and how to spend that cap space is vital, as the wrong contract could set back the rebuild.

There are plenty of free agents still active in the playoffs, some of whom could use a strong run to get themselves big paydays in the offseason.

Some, like Austin Reaves, are using the big stage of the playoffs to make a case for themselves on the free-agent market, while others may have hurt their cases.

Detroit Pistons: Dillon Brooks has not helped his free-agency in the playoffs

One such player is Dillon Brooks of the Memphis Grizzlies, who has been in the playoff narratives for all of the wrong reasons.

Brooks talks a big game but will probably most be remembered for calling LeBron James old, refusing to talk to the media after losses and getting ejected for hitting LeBron in the groin (side note: LeBron’s “groin” has taken some abuse in the playoffs over the years):

For all of their swagger, the Grizzlies are down 3-1 as a #2 seed and Brooks hasn’t done much but talk. He is averaging 11.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists while hitting just 22 percent of his 6.8 attempts per game from 3-point range.

Brooks has had a good season overall and has established himself as a quality defender who brings some toughness, things that the Detroit Pistons need, but he also comes with controversy, technical fouls and plenty of talk, so you have to take the good with the bad with Brooks.

But he’s mostly been a distraction in this series (something the young Pistons don’t need) and it’s not like he’s shutting down LeBron, who has yet to “give him 40” unless you count his 20 points and 20 rebounds from the last game. LeBron is doing his thing, averaging 24.0 points, 13.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game and has the Grizzlies on the brink of elimination.

I like Brooks, and the Detroit Pistons could use some toughness and swagger, but they also need players who can shoot and Brooks hit just 32 percent of his 3-point shots on six attempts per game this season.

There are also questions about whether Brooks would be happy with the same type of role on a team that doesn’t already have an established star.

He hasn’t done much to answer these questions in the playoffs and all of the negative press isn’t likely to help his case in free agency.