Detroit Pistons: Important deadline today could present opportunity
The Detroit Pistons will tip off the 2023-24 regular season on Wednesday on the road against the Miami Heat.
But they have an important deadline today, as it is the final day for teams to sign rookie extensions.
Detroit already inked Isaiah Stewart to a new deal and now Killian Hayes and James Wiseman are on the clock, not to mention several prominent players who could end up on the Pistons’ radar.
Related Story. Can Killian Hayes catch a break?. light
Players that don’t sign today will be restricted free agents after the season and with cap space to spend, the Detroit Pistons could be suitors for some of them.
Detroit Pistons eligible for rookie extensions
Killian Hayes
Hayes played well in the preseason, though he did have to miss the final game with a sprained knee. After Detroit traded for Monte Morris and the draft rights to Marcus Sasser, it appeared Killian’s days in the Motor City were numbered. But Morris has been hurt throughout preseason and Jaden Ivey was moved to the bench, which opened up an opportunity for Hayes. Monty Williams has stressed defense since becoming the new head coach, and Killian Hayes plays it. He has been more aggressive at the rim and shot the ball well so far, but it’s still not enough for the Pistons to risk a long-term commitment. Hayes may also feel he can get a better deal after this season if he is a part of the rotation all year, so both sides have something to risk and something to potentially gain by not signing an extension now.
James Wiseman
James Wiseman does not look like an NBA rotation player right now, which is disappointing considering the Pistons traded away one to get him. Wiseman is out of sorts on defense and offers next to nothing on offense outside of offensive rebounding and putbacks. His back-to-the-basket game is slow, predictable and often leads to turnovers. It’s not too late for Wiseman to turn it around, but he currently looks to be behind Marvin Bagley III in the depth chart and may end up out of the rotation. Extending him now would be ludicrous, which makes that Saddiq Bey trade even more questionable than it was at the time. Bey was not a guy the Pistons wanted to invest in long-term, which is understandable, but it feels like he’d at least be in the rotation this season.