Detroit Pistons: Best and worst free-agent fits with Cade Cunningham

Detroit Pistons: Best and worst free-agent fits with Cade Cunningham

Jerami Grant

Okay, I’m surely opening myself up to a kind of bias here as my top two options are former Detroit Pistons. Yet, who will argue? Jerami Grant only grows and grows as a basketball player, has shown love for the Pistons organization before, and while a return to Portland may be appealing to him – I don’t see it. I think the Damian Lillard-era Blazers is a nearly finished chapter. If Grant still believes in Detroit’s “process,” then perhaps he’d reunite with Trader Troy once more. His skillset remains a perfect fit as a versatile defender who can shoot 3-point shots, and it’s fun to imagine playing with both Ivey and a more mature Cade. It really does seem like the Pistons are a spark away from taking a meaningful step forward in the win column.

Khris Middleton

Sure, his best basketball is behind him, but he’s still playing very well. Although he only averaged 15 points a game this last season, he did so while playing through injury. He also elevated his game in the playoffs as he put up 23.8 a night, often without the benefit of playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Middleton is 31-years-old and while his decline is imminent, he still has plenty left to give. His leadership would be invaluable, too. Unfortunately, Giannis has always been a vocal supporter of Middleton’s, and it’s nearly inconceivable that he’d leave Milwaukee. But if he does, perhaps a return to the team that drafted him would be appealing. He’d step right into an important role and immediately elevate the squad.

I’ll even get so carried away as to imagine getting Middleton and Grant. Will it happen? Most certainly not. If it does, a starting lineup of Cunningham, Ivey, Middleton, Grant and either Duren or Wiseman, would immediately be a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference.