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Offseason Report Card: Pistons get two As, four Bs for summer moves

By Josh Cornelissen

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Ausar Thompson (R) poses with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted fifth overall pick by the Detroit Pistons during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Ausar Thompson (R) poses with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted fifth overall pick by the Detroit Pistons during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons
Monte Morris, Washington Wizards. Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Traded for Monte Morris

Traded a second-round pick for Washington Wizards point guard Monte Morris.

The Detroit Pistons let Cory Joseph walk in free agency this summer, opening up an obvious hole for a backup point guard who could help mentor Jaden Ivey and Killian Hayes. While there were a handful of veteran guards available in free agency, the Pistons rightfully identified a trade target that was a better option than those in free agency.

Monte Morris has established himself as one of the best backup point guards in the league and even spent the last two seasons as a low-end starter for the Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards. He has plenty of experience playing alongside another ball-dominant player, be that Nikola Jokic or Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma.

Related Story. How Monte Morris will help Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. light

That should help him fit seamlessly into lineups with Cade Cunningham or Jaden Ivey, helping to fill the rotational gaps and provide plus ball-handling for all 48 minutes. Morris doesn’t have a ton of on-ball juice, but he’s a career 39.2 percent shooter from deep and had a 5-to-1 assists-to-turnover ratio last season. Jaden Ivey didn’t even approach a 2-to-1 ratio as a rookie.

That makes Morris a valuable addition to this team as they look to improve their on-court and locker-room maturity. The best part? It cost the Pistons a lone second-round pick to add him. Detroit say the Wizards with a glut of point guards and swept in to acquire Morris at a discount that didn’t need to be applied, making this a slam dunk of a trade for the Pistons.

Grade: A

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