The Detroit Pistons’ offseason is just getting started, but we will see some big changes to the coaching staff and roster before it is over.
The Pistons appear to be biding their time when it comes to a new coach, hoping that Monty Williams will change his mind and accept their reported big-money offer.
Meanwhile, the NBA Finals are set after the Miami Heat avoided blowing a 3-0 lead and delivered a devastating blowout in game 7 to defeat the hated Celtics.
Boston was only able to muster 84 points in the loss, and getting beaten by an 8th seed when you are the heavy favorite is always going to raise some questions about the coaching and roster.
There has been speculation that the Celtics could fire coach Joe Mazzulla, though the team hasn’t said anything publicly about it. That would potentially give the Pistons even more competition for a coach (especially one like Monty Williams), so Detroit should probably hope they hold onto Mazzulla.
The Celtics could also look to shake up their roster, and the biggest question is what they are going to do with Jaylen Brown. The Detroit Pistons will be one of many teams interested in the outcome, which could be the focal point of the offseason.
Detroit Pistons: Will Jaylen Brown be available?
The Celtics have three choices when it comes to Jaylen Brown: Sign him to an extension that would likely make him one of the highest paid players in the NBA. After making the All-NBA team, Brown is eligible for a nearly $300 million extension this summer, which could lead to Boston eventually having $600 million and nearly 70 percent of their cap tied up in two players once they extend Jayson Tatum.
The Celtics could just let Brown play out the last year of his contract and hit free agency, which seems the least likely scenario.
Or they could trade him this summer or at the trade deadline next year for what would likely be a haul of assets. If Brown were to hit the trade market, he would drive everything else that happens, as there won’t be a better player available. He could have a number of suitors who will all be in a holding pattern as they wait to see what Boston does.
Despite some of his shortcomings in the playoffs when it comes to ball handling and passing, Jaylen Brown would be an ideal fit with the Detroit Pistons on the wing. He is entering his prime and is one of the best two-way forwards in the game, pretty much exactly what Detroit needs.
But there are a couple of problems. The first is that the Pistons may not even have a trade package that would entice Boston without coughing up the 5th pick, Jaden Ivey and Bojan Bogdanovic, which is a steep price to pay for a guy with only one year left on his deal.
Detroit would have to have some assurance that Brown would re-sign before doing such a thing, as they’d be potentially mortgaging their future for a rental. This makes Brown a long shot unless the Pistons can find a third team that has a player who could better help Boston win right now.
It’s not likely the Celtics want to rebuild, and if they did want to trade Brown for a package based around a draft pick, the Portland Trail Blazers or Houston Rockets might be in the trade line ahead of the Pistons with better picks to offer.
But Detroit will probably inquire about Brown if he hits the market, and the Celtics losing may be the first step in a wild offseason where some stars end up on different teams.