There are some interesting players heading into the final year of their rookie deals, including two Detroit Pistons.
The deadline for rookie extensions is just over a month away and it doesn’t appear that Killian Hayes or James Wiseman will be getting one.
A few players from the 2020 draft class have already inked big extensions, including LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Desmond Bane and the Pistons’ own Isaiah Stewart.
But there are still plenty of guys out there who need to sign an extension fast or will head into next year on expiring contracts that would lead to restricted free agency.
These players could not only be potential free agent targets next offseason (the Pistons should again have money to spend) but could also be trade targets during the season if their current teams don’t plan on re-signing them.
Detroit Pistons: Extension-eligible players who could be headed for restricted free agency
Some of these players will likely still sign extensions before next season starts, and others are sure to be retained in free agency. Others are not great fits with the Detroit Pistons, so this list can be narrowed considerably:
- James Wiseman (Pistons)
- Patrick Williams (Bulls)
- Onyeka Okongwu (Hawks)
- Killian Hayes (Pistons)
- Obi Toppin (Pacers)
- Deni Avdija (Wizards)
- Devin Vassell (Spurs)
- Kira Lewis Jr. (Pelicans)
- Aaron Nesmith (Pacers)
- Cole Anthony (Magic)
- Chuma Okeke (Magic)
- Aleksej Pokusevski (Thunder)
- Josh Green (Dallas)
- Saddiq Bey (Hawks)
- Precious Achiuwa (Raptors)
- Tyrese Maxey (76ers)
- Zeke Nnaji (Nuggets)
- Immanuel Quickley (Knicks)
- Payton Pritchard (Celtics)
- Jaden McDaniels (Timberwolves)
- Malachi Flynn (Raptors)
Of these players, Jaden McDaniels seems the most likely to sign an extension before the season, which is a shame, as he’d be the perfect target for the Detroit Pistons.
Onyeka Okongwu and Saddiq Bey could also get reasonable extensions from the Hawks before next season begins.
Tyrese Maxey and Immanuel Quickley will likely go to restricted free agency because of their respective teams’ financial situations, but I’d be surprised if they don’t re-sign, especially in the case of Maxey.
You can probably rule out Toppin, Avdija, Anthony, Vassell, Green and Pritchard, as all of them are also likely to stay with their current squads. It’s doubtful the Detroit Pistons would have any interest in Kira Lewis Jr. (bust worse than Killian) or Precious Achiuwa, as he has too much overlap with Stewart.
Zeke Nnaji is an interesting option at power forward who I wrote about recently and has the defense and shooting to be a fit with the Pistons.
But there are two others who stand out as possibilities to reach free agency who could end up being trade or free-agent targets for the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit Pistons: Aleksej Pokusevski
Aleksej Pokusevski is an interesting player who hasn’t gotten a ton of minutes yet but has a skill set the Detroit Pistons could use.
He isn’t likely to get an extension from the Thunder, who already have Chet Holmgren in that role, so it’s likely Pokusevski will hit restricted free agency or be traded at some point next season.
Pokusevski is mostly known for being the seven-footer who weighs like 100 lbs. and has a name no one can spell. He’s only played 140 games in three seasons, but has shown how he can make an impact in the NBA.
Pokusevski is a 7-foot power forward who hit 36.5 percent of his 3-point shots last season, a number that could and should go up once he has a more established role. He also blocked 1.3 shots per game (which would have easily led the Pistons last season) in just 20 minutes off the bench, so he can be effective in short spurts.
He’s still only 21 years old, so there is plenty of time for him to put on more weight (he’s gained 20 lbs. since joining the NBA) and become an excellent shot blocker and floor stretcher off the bench.
The Detroit Pistons need more rim protection and shooting from their bigs, and Pokusevski could potentially provide some off the bench for a bargain price.
Patrick Williams should be on the Detroit Pistons’ radar
Patrick Williams has long been connected to the Detroit Pistons, as it was widely reported that they wanted to draft him in 2020 before the Bulls snatched him up with the 4th pick.
Like Pokusevski, Williams has been somewhat limited by injuries so far, but has shown a skill set that the Pistons could definitely use.
He’s still only 22 and just starting to tap into his potential as a two-way forward who can defend and stretch the floor with his shooting.
He upped his 3-point percentage to over 41 percent last season on the way to averaging 10 points, four rebounds and just under a block and and steal per game for the Bulls.
Williams is one of the few young players the Bulls have, so there is a chance they will reach an agreement with him before the season starts, but if they don’t, the Detroit Pistons could swoop in with a trade offer or just wait for him to hit free agency and try to steal him away.
Williams is versatile enough to play either forward spot and would give the Pistons two formidable defenders when paired with Ausar Thompson.
He’s less likely to be available than Pokusevski, especially if he has a breakout season, but he’s a player to monitor, especially if the Bulls underperform and want to rebuild.