The Detroit Pistons haven’t had the ultimate dream offseason that fans were hoping for, but they have made some improvements to the roster while leaving themselves flexible for the future.
Detroit has been connected in some recent trade rumors, and could still make additional moves to balance their roster, as they currently have a lot of centers and guards, without available minutes for all of them.
Roster depth is not a bad thing, but having $25 million tied up in two backup centers, one of whom might not even be in the rotation, is not the most efficient use of funds.
The Pistons still have open roster spots, one full-time and one two-way, so could swing another trade or look to fill those spots with available free agents.
Here are some potential players, ranging from higher priced guys that would require additional moves, to potential two-way players who would be developmental projects.
Let’s start with the two-way guys.
Detroit Pistons: Players for the final two-way contract
Next season will be the first time that teams can carry three two-way contracts. The Pistons made two of theirs official yesterday with the signings of Jared Rhoden and Malcolm Cazalon, so have one spot remaining.
There could be hundreds of players on this list, pretty much any guy who didn’t sign to an NBA roster, but I’ll focus on ones that were on the Pistons Summer League roster:
- Tosan Evbuomwan: My favorite to make the roster, the French forward had the highest plus/minus of any Piston during the Summer League. He’s a glue guy who can defend and pass.
- Buddy Boeheim: Pistons’ fans might revolt if Boeheim is on the roster again next season. He did start shooting the ball much better as last season wound down, so unfortunately, you can’t rule him out.
- Stanley Umude: One of last year’s two-way guys, Umude played a whopping one game with the Pistons last season. He did average over 15 ppg in the G-League and shot 38 percent from long range on 6.4 attempts per game, so he might be worth a longer look.
- Nate Roberts: Roberts played sparingly in Summer League, so is a long shot, but he is a big 6-foot-11 power forward who does play a position Detroit lacks in their pipeline. He can’t shoot, so that may be a non-starter.
There’s a very good chance the Pistons fill this spot with a player who played for another team in Summer League but didn’t get a deal.
13 Free agents Pistons could target to fill final roster spots
The Detroit Pistons have just 14 players signed right now, so still have an open roster spot, though they have little or no money to spend. Signing a minimum guy would be possible, but may take some further roster moves depending on the salary.
They could look to fill this spot with a minimum veteran for the end of the bench and don’t be surprised if we see some familiar faces.
- Rodney McGruder: If I had to bet, I’d say McGruder will get this spot unless he gets an offer from another team. The veteran has been called the “Pros pro,” has a strong work ethic and sets a good example for the youngsters. He’s also familiar with the Pistons and vice versa. Let’s just hope we don’t see him much next season, as if we do, it means something went wrong.
- Justise Winslow: This would be a full-circle move, as many fans of the Pistons wanted them to draft Winslow over Stanley Johnson. Winslow hasn’t been a whole lot better but did play 29 games for Portland last season. He might be more than a minimum guy but would give Detroit some backup at several positions.
- Lamar Stevens: He was recently waived by the Spurs, and could be a nice pickup for Detroit. Stevens can’t shoot but he’s a tenacious defender who can guard multiple positions and would add some more toughness to the roster. On a minimum deal, he might be worth a shot.
- Markieff Morris: Another familiar face, Morris has been on a lot of teams and his best days are behind him, but if Detroit wanted some more toughness in the locker room, he could be an option.
- James Johnson: The 35-year-old is one of my favorite bench veterans and was actually still pretty effective two seasons ago for the Pelicans. He only played in 18 games last season for Indiana but would be a great locker room guy who can still defend in a pinch and would be a mentor for their young bigs on the defensive end.
If the Detroit Pistons don’t make additional trades, I would love to see them bring in a veteran power forward.
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.