Detroit Pistons: 3 cheap but productive free agents on the market

The Detroit Pistons will be one of the most active teams in the NBA this offseason, as they have plenty of work to do to try and climb out of the cellar.

The first objective is to find the next head coach, and that search may have gotten a little more complicated recently after the Bucks fired Mike Budenholzer.

This could take early frontrunner Charles Lee off the market (he’s the associate head coach of the Bucks now) and put Budenholzer on it for the Pistons.

Detroit also needs some major roster improvement, as they need help on the wing and could use some upgrades on the bench to go around their young core. Some of that will come in the 2023 NBA Draft, but they could also look to add talent in free agency and trades.

While most fans are focused on the possible top guys, the Pistons can also use upgrades on their bench with less-expensive players who can actually be part of an NBA rotation. Here are three unrestricted free agents that should fall into the “cheap but productive” free agent category.

Detroit Pistons: 3 best cheap but productive free agents on the market

Torrey Craig

I think I’ve talked about Craig more than his agent has at this point, so unless he is giving me a cut, I won’t belabor this too much.

He’s tough, can defend multiple spots, hit 3-point shots and will increase the level of competition in practice. I love Craig as a low-priced veteran who can still produce, as he has for the Suns.

He could potentially fill the contract slot vacated by Hamidou Diallo or Corey Joseph if the Pistons don’t bring them back.

Jevon Carter

Carter is one of the best ball pressure guards in the league, a pesky defender who might be easier to nab if the Pistons were to hire Mike Budenholzer. He has a player option for $2.2 million next season, which he may decline to seek a bigger deal. But it won’t be much bigger, and like Craig, he could potentially replace Joseph’s salary slot and be a big upgrade defensively.

Carter can also shoot the 3-ball, so there wouldn’t be any drop-off there.

Max Strus

Max Strus was one of the best bargains in the NBA this season, as he played 80 games for the Heat, 33 as a starter. He’s been playing big minutes in the playoffs and knocking down over 40 percent of his 3-point shots, not bad for a guy who is on a league-minimum deal.

His next deal will be more than the $1.8 million he made this season, but he could be a nice upgrade to the Detroit Pistons’ bench if he ends up in the 2 year/$10 million range on his next contract, as he has shot 37 percent from 3-point range for his career and the Pistons desperately need shooting.

Detroit hopes to land a star in the draft or in free agency, but they also need to improve their bench and swap out some of their current guys for players who are better defenders and/or shooters.