The Detroit Pistons have plenty of options in the wake of a leg injury that will keep Jaden Ivey sidelined for at least a month.
Ivey’s broken fibula was actually the best-case scenario, as he’ll have a chance to return this season, so the Pistons don’t have to do anything rash to replace him in the short term.
They have players ready to step up, so there is no need to make a trade, and they could turn to the G-League for some short-term options.
G-League free agents are available for 10-day contracts starting on Sunday and there are some former Pistons who could warrant a call up.
Jaylen Nowell
Nowell played four games for the Pistons last season and had a cup of coffee with the Pelicans in this one, so he has limited NBA experience.
He dominated the G-League, averaging over 26 points per game on incredible shooting splits of 58/56/93, so if the Pistons wanted some extra scoring punch on the bench, they could bring Nowell back on a 10-day.
Eugene Omoruyi
Omoruyi played 17 games with the Pistons in the 2022-23 season and was quickly a fan favorite because of his hustle and physical style, though that changed quickly when he took a selfie with his former team after an ugly loss.
Omoruyi averaged over 20 per game in the G-League this season, and while he doesn’t offer much as a 3-point shooter, he did hit 59 percent of his shots overall and averaged over eight rebounds per game.
He has played 87 NBA games in his career and is living on the fringes of a roster, so would be a decent short-term option if the Pistons wanted another versatile defender who can grab boards.
Buddy Boeheim
Boeheim no longer has his hookup with Troy Weaver gone, but if the Pistons wanted a shooter, there are few better in the G-League, though he offers nothing else.
Boeheim is shot 42.4 percent on over 10 attempts per game from long range, so if the Pistons wanted an injection of shooting, he could warrant a look.
Boeheim played 20 games with the Pistons over two seasons, mostly in mop-up duty but he has shot the lights out in the G-League.
Grabbing a free agent from the G-League would give the Pistons a chance to explore internal options without making a trade that would disrupt the team chemistry they are building.
I don’t expect the Pistons to make a desperate move with Ivey out, and it likely won’t even change their plans at the trade deadline, so making using of the G-League may be their best option.