Detroit Pistons: Weaver’s free-agent strategy may disappoint fans
The Pros
Just from interacting with fans online, I do think there would be some level of disappointment if the Pistons didn’t go out and sign or trade for a starting-level player.
But there may be some positives to taking that approach:
- The Pistons are likely to have to go big on a contract to lure one of the top guys to Detroit. Not doing so would keep them from being locked into a deal before they even really know what they have with their own team. The collection of players on their roster have barely played together and some of them not at all. Being patient would allow Detroit to evaluate their own guys and see what exactly they need to complement them.
- The second contracts for guys like Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart (maybe), Killian Hayes (big maybe) and James Wiseman (biggest maybe) are all right around the corner. Signing a big free-agent contract could limit their future possibilities with this group before they even see them all play together. With so many young players stacked on top of each other, Detroit is going to have to be careful or risk having a financial mess, especially after the new CBA makes it more difficult to retain your own stars. Signing a splashy name now may cost them a player in the future.
- There are other ways to get talent. Detroit could trade from their surplus of big men to get a guy without having to make a huge financial commitment. This may be the best way to balance the roster without mortgaging the future to do it.
- With no true superstars available that would be fits, it might be best to spread the money around, sign two guys and look for depth and value. Would signing Cameron Johnson be better than signing two guys like Dillon Brooks and Max Strus if the price is the same?
- If they don’t see the perfect player now, then holding onto some cap space and waiting may be prudent. There are going to be teams looking to shed salary under the new CBA and the Pistons may be able to take advantage in a trade.
Of course, there are also cons to not adding a big name.