Pistons 2023 offseason primer: Targets, outgoing free agents, trades, draft needs and more
It seems like it’s been about a year since the Detroit Pistons last played basketball, as they are watching the playoffs from home for the 4th straight season.
This will be one of the most important offseasons in years and so far it has gotten off to a slow start, as the Pistons still don’t have a new head coach after nearly two months of searching and interviews.
There are rumors that they are still holding out for Monty Williams, who reportedly already turned down a big-money offer that Detroit hopes he will reconsider.
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Once the coaching search is finally over, the Pistons will turn their attention to the 2023 NBA Draft and then free agency and trades to try and improve a roster that is fresh off a 17-win season.
Here is everything you need to know with the NBA Draft less than a month away.
Pistons 2023 offseason primer: Free-agent targets
It’s hard to know who the Detroit Pistons might target in free agency without first knowing who they took in the draft. Take a guy like Cam Whitmore, and they may look for a defensive stopper to complement him. Go with someone like Ausar Thompson or Jarace Walker and Detroit could target more of an offensive player in free agency.
But there are a number of free agents who would fit either way and should be targets for Detroit:
- Jerami Grant
- Cameron Johnson
- Dillon Brooks
- Kristaps Porzingis
These would represent the “big fish” the Pistons could potentially land this summer, and just about all of them are long shots. Johnson is only a restricted free agent, so Brooklyn can match any offer. Porzingis has a player option and may get a huge extension offer from the Wizards. Brooks may be too controversial, which might leave former Piston Jerami Grant as their number one target this summer.
Grant would be a nice fit as a guy who can defend multiple spots and who has improved immensely as an off-the-ball shooter. But is he worth a max deal?
We could see Detroit use free agency to fill out the back of their bench with a veteran player or two instead of trying to make a splashy move that could cause them to overpay.
Free agency is not deep with players that potentially fill the Pistons’ need on the wing, so they may have to turn to other avenues to land a big name.