2023 free agency has mostly come and gone at this point, leaving just a few guys still looking for new teams to call home. For the Detroit Pistons, they are likely done with additions for the 2023 NBA offseason.
Whether you liked the moves Troy Weaver and company made, Detroit is still set up fairly well once again for next year’s free agency class. A free agent class that contains players like Jaylen Brown, Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan, and Pascal Siakam to name a few, though the Pistons should expect to be on the outside looking in when it comes to most of the top guys.
The unfortunate truth about free agency is that most of the best players never reach it, and when they do, they find a way to get to their preferred destination, which is not usually Detroit.
So, with Detroit having the cap space they are expected to have, let’s take a look at some possible free-agent signings the Detroit Pistons may want to look at.
Detroit Pistons: The 2024 NBA free-agent class
Honorable Mentions:
Tobias Harris, 6’7 PF, UFA (30)
Taurean Prince, 6’6 PF, UFA (29)
Malik Monk, 6’3 SG, UFA (26)
Kenyon Martin Jr., 6’7 SF, UFA (22)
Gary Trent Jr., 6’5 SG, UFA (24)
Gary Trent Jr. has been a fan favorite in both cities he has played in during his young career. Originally drafted in the second round by the Trail Blazers, Trent has improved drastically since his first season, especially in his shooting and scoring. Having played his previous three seasons in Toronto, Trent averaged 17.4 points and is shooting 37 percent from deep. Standing 6-foot-5 and being a career 40 percent three-point shooter, Gary would be able to slide into Detroit’s wing rotation and provide a spark of offense immediately.
Trent will be coming off a 3 year/$51.8 M contract and, being that he is still just 24, Detroit would have to pony up quite a bit for the young, up-and-coming star. Even with the talent and age aligning with Detroit’s timeline, the price and fit may force Detroit to look elsewhere.
Detroit Pistons: The 2024 NBA free-agent class
Pascal Siakam, 6’8 PF UFA (29)
Easily the most popular name linked to Detroit on this list is Pascal Siakam. For weeks now, and likely throughout the entirety of this season, Pistons fans have been wanting and asking for a possible trade to acquire Siakam from Toronto. The 6-foot-8 power forward fills the need in Detroit for an athletic slashing four to play alongside the combination of Duren/Wiseman/Stewart. Siakam is coming off his best season thus far, averaging 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. While Pascal has All-NBA talent, one area that he has struggled throughout his career is shooting from deep, something Detroit also needs. Only average just over 32 percent from three, Siakam is known more so as an overall scorer than a deep threat.
It’s possible that Siakam is dealt at some point this season, as his name is repeatedly tossed around as a potential trade chip. Along with being the most popular amongst Pistons fans, Siakam will likely come with the largest price tag. Still only 29, Siakam will have just finished a four year $137M deal. While Pascal is obviously a better talent than Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson, I don’t see the organization agreeing to something in the range of $35M/year if they just refused to go to $20M/year for Johnson, who is a much better three-point shooting and defending SF/PF.
Detroit Pistons: The 2024 NBA free-agent class
Buddy Hield, 6’4 SG UFA (30)
Since coming into the league, Buddy Hield has done nothing but shoot the cover off the ball. Averaging over 16 points per game for his career with a 40.2 career 3-point percentage, Hield would bring three-point shooting that this team needs badly, especially if they decide to part ways with Joe Harris and Alec Burks. Hield currently ranks 3rd in the NBA in highest volume catch and shooting, clocking 476 attempts and converting on an absurd 42 percent of them, higher than the likes of both Keagan Murray and Klay Thompson.
While Buddy doesn’t do much else in the way of assists, rebounds or steals, his leadership and shooting would be enough to elevate this team alone. The would-be 31 year old is set to make $18.5M, finishing out a 4 year/$94M deal this season, a range that Detroit could comfortably match. Hield is my favorite to be signed next season for a Detroit team that hopefully will be past play-in contention and safely in the playoffs.
Miles Bridges, 6’7 SF UFA (25)
Miles Bridges makes his way onto this list as one of the most polarizing and complicated players. Miles is set to become a free agent next season, after serving 20 of his 30 game suspension this past season. He will finish his final 10 game sentence during the upcoming season. With his legal issues hopefully a thing of the past, Bridges is looking to make a comeback and continue where he left off.
Before having to take time away from the NBA, Miles was on track to post the best season of his career. He even ended as a betting favorite for the league’s Most Improved Player. Shooting almost 35 percent from deep, Miles averaged 20 points per night to go along with close to six rebounds. The walking highlight reel that is Miles Bridges would bring spacing and shooting to the wing position Detroit currently does not possess. If Bridges came home and joined the Detroit Pistons, in terms of pure athleticism, the rich would simply get richer as Detroit would easily sport the most athletic roster in the NBA.
Just a week ago, Bridges signed a one year, $7.9M qualifying offer from the Hornets. I’m not going to even guess at what Miles will ask in the open market because there are so many variables that likely will dictate his free agency. But, I think having Bridges come home for his comeback would benefit both him and Detroit.
Of course,Bridges also comes with plenty of controversy, and as much as the Pistons have talked about culture, they may want to stay far away.
The 2024 free-agent class is probably not going to turn the Detroit Pistons into a super-team, but they can add some lower level additions that should complement their stars and improve the roster.