Fans of the Detroit Pistons went into the first day of free agency with big dreams and expensive names at the top of their wish lists.
But we had to watch as all of those names signed massive new deals with their current teams, as Harrison Barnes, Kyle Kuzma, Jerami Grant and Cameron Johnson all ended up staying put.
Instead, the Detroit Pistons used their cap space to take on the expiring contract and legs of Joe Harris, and traded a second-round pick to the Wizards in exchange for veteran guard Monte Morris.
If you had fans make a list of two guys they wanted, I am pretty sure Joe Harris and Monte Morris wouldn’t have made the cut. The moves used all of the Pistons’ cap space, so they would have to make additional trades to further change the roster, though they do still have around $8 million available for the mid-level exception.
Troy Weaver hinted free agency might go down this way, as he said the team wanted to augment the talent they had rather than make a big, splashy move.
He stuck to his word and had an underwhelming first day of NBA free agency that left fans… well… not happy.
Detroit Pistons: Fans erupt at underwhelming first day of free agency
Although some fans took this in stride, understanding that the Pistons identified that the right deal was not there and that they would have had to spend ridiculous money to land one of their top targets. Instead they pivoted to an uninspiring plan B, gave up nothing and got two decent role players in return.
But some felt betrayed by Weaver, who promised to make this team competitive heading into next season, and did nothing (so far) but add two role players on expiring deals. This Tweet pretty much summarizes what I am seeing.
Pistons twitter gassed themselves up for a month thinking they were going to cash in on the big name free agents they never realistically had a shot at. Now they’re the child throwing a tantrum because they didnt get the super-overpriced toy they wanted for Christmas.
— Keith Black Trudeau (@Charlottean28) July 1, 2023
I have a whole lot of this on my timeline this morning:
I’m seeing a huge jump next year I’m thinking 18 wins. Seriously it’s time to admit Troy Weaver is fraud.
— Randy Ward (@RandyWa67653171) July 1, 2023
Last year turned nearly 40 mill of cap space into Nerlens Noel, Burks, Marvin Bagley extension and Kevin Knox. This year 30 mill into Joe Harris and scraps. Terrible.
— Andy O))) (@oppsopps) June 30, 2023
If Troy’s cooking, it looks & smells like another 17 win plate of 💩
— J-☀️ (@J_sonMAC) July 1, 2023
Nets just rented Detroit’s cap space for a year in exchange for 2 2nds
— Sham (@shamshammgod) June 30, 2023
Live look at Troy Weaver cookin pic.twitter.com/Ob0kUcwaKm
I agree in principle, but my problem with this is that the Pistons have had cap space to use for trades for years now under Weaver and have used it effectively exactly zero times https://t.co/pXybdiZrqq
— Jasper Apollonia (@BladeCunningham) June 30, 2023
Yeah Troy Weaver on hot seat. Idgaf
— Mr. 🇨🇦 (FKA J.C.) (@johvincan) July 1, 2023
There were plenty more to choose from, though there were a range of reactions, most of them of the “well, let’s see what happens” variety.
I am definitely in that camp, as I said many times heading into this that the Pistons shouldn’t overpay a guy just to make a big move, which is exactly what they would have had to do to land a guy like Cam Johnson or Jerami Grant.
But the Detroit Pistons aren’t finished yet, as that was just day one of free agency and there could be more moves coming soon.