Pistons news: Champion free agent hits market and Whitmore out?

The Detroit Pistons are fresh off a 17-win season and need big improvements to the roster this offseason.

They will start in the draft, where they will have the 5th and 31st picks. Early odds had them taking Cam Whitmore with that pick, but things have shifted so many times I can hardly keep up.

A lot of this pre-draft chatter is just smokescreen as teams try to keep leverage by not revealing their hand, so take everything you hear in the next few days with a grain of salt until it is official.

On a recent episode of the Game Theory Podcast with Sam Vecenie, Pistons’ beat writer James Edwards III had this to say about the Pistons and Whitmore:

"“Over the last 24 hours, I get the sense that Whitmore isn’t in the cards.”"

Edwards III said he thought the Pistons were leaning towards one of the Thompson twins or Jarace Walker after Whitmore had a sub-par workout with the Pistons.

For what it is worth, the odds at Fanduel have shifted once again and Jarace Walker is now the favorite. Is this just subterfuge or is Detroit really out on Whitmore? We’ll know soon enough, but if true, I know there will be a camp of Thompson fans who will be very happy.

But the 2023 NBA Draft is only part of the equation.

Detroit Pistons: Interest in a champion free agent?

The Pistons will also look to free agency and trades to make improvements and another marquee name hit the free-agent market yesterday:

This move was expected, as Draymond is seeking one last long-term contract. It’s very possible that he just signs with the Golden State Warriors again, adding years to his deal but lowering the annual salary.

There is always the possibility that the Warriors aren’t up for that, which would make Green one of the biggest unrestricted free agent names on the market.

Would Detroit have any interest? I wrote about Draymond’s fit with the Pistons nearly a year ago when these rumors first started circulating.

There are some things to like, as Draymond is still a very good defender, has the ear of James Wiseman and could help transition these young Pistons into winners.

But it would be foolish for Detroit to pay a premium for his declining years, especially when they are likely still a season or two away from being real playoff contenders. If Draymond wanted a Michigan homecoming, he would have to do it on a minimum deal and that’s not going to happen, so no, Draymond Green is not coming to the Pistons.