13 Free agents Pistons could target to fill final roster spots

13 Free agents Pistons could target to fill final roster spots

These are all players still waiting for a deal and may have to continue to wait until the big trades of Damian Lillard and James Harden happen (if they do).

Detroit would have to make additional roster moves to sign any of these players, so they fall squarely in the “unlikely” category unless they were to find a taker for Marvin Bagley III or James Wiseman. Even then it would be unlikely, as there aren’t any teams that can absorb those contracts without sending one back, so all of the players below are probably pipe dreams unless it is part of a sign-and-trade in a bigger deal.

• PJ Washington: He’s the only restricted free agent on this list and seems to be in limbo right now with Charlotte. He’d be a nice fit on the Pistons as a power forward who can spread the floor a little. He’d be a possibility on a sign-and-trade if the Hornets wanted to take back MBIII, so keep your eyes on Washington.
• Christian Wood: It’s funny how many fans have asked me about him, usually listing all of his stats in the process. But something isn’t right about a player this talented who has been on seven teams already and is now being offered only minimum deals. It screams “head case” and the fact that he’s been suspended by his last two teams for fighting with the coach probably confirms that. There’s a reason why Troy Weaver didn’t want to keep him, so it’s difficult to see them bringing him back now, even on a minimum deal, though he was spotted talking to Weaver recently.
• Hamidou Diallo: Another familiar face waiting for a deal. Diallo had a slight breakout last season, but it’s hard to see how he would fit on this current roster without additional moves.
• Kelly Oubre Jr.: Too expensive without additional roster moves. He did score 20 a game for Charlotte last season, but did it inefficiently and the Detroit Pistons don’t need any more of that.
• Derrick Jones Jr: Hmmmmm. He’ll probably make more than Detroit would want to pay him, but Jones is a super athletic forward who can play either spot and is a pretty good defender. He’s another guy who can’t shoot but would give them another athletic defender.

The chances of one of these guys ending up on the Pistons’ roster are slim and none, but they are all still lingering out there and may end up having to take bargain “prove it” deals next season.