It has been widely speculated that the Detroit Pistons would like to add a stretch big, but they did not address that need in the draft with the selection of sharpshooting guard Chaz Lanier, who they hope will be the next Malik Beasley.
Detroit has been connected to a number of free agents and trades for bigs that can shoot, as they need more depth behind Tobias Harris, whose deal expires after next season.
Trajan Langdon talked about working around the “fringes” when it came to offseason additions, and that they would prioritize their own guys. But with Dennis Schroder possibly on the way out and a big question mark around Tim Hardaway Jr., the Pistons will potentially have roster spots and cap space to spend on “fringe” additions.
The Memphis Grizzlies (and Kings) have a couple of free agents that may fit that definition.
Santi Aldama
Aldama is a restricted free agent that the Grizzlies may be inclined to bring back after they saved some future money in the Desmond Bane trade.
He’s a near seven-footer who can shoot, which is something the Pistons could certainly use off the bench, but his restricted free agency complicates things.
The Grizzlies can match any offer, so the Pistons would have to make one that scared them off, in which case Memphis would likely seek to sign-and-trade.
Aldama could end up being an expensive option in either cap space or matching salaries. The Pistons could offset some of it by sending back Simone Fontecchio, but it would also require draft assets on top of it and Langdon hasn’t shown a willingness to part with those for fringe upgrades.
Jake LaRavia
LaRavia is an unrestricted free agent whose team option Memphis didn't exercise before he was flipped to Sacramento at the deadline . He already mentioned Detroit as a possible destination, and it does make some sense.
The Pistons need to continue to hit on low salary players as they did last season with Malik Beasley, but he’s about to get a big raise, so adding another guy in that salary range would be ideal.
LaRavia isn’t great at any one thing, but he’s a good connector on offense who can shoot the 3-ball a little and play defense. He wouldn’t cost the Pistons any draft assets and probably better fits the type of “fringe” addition Langdon was talking about.
He’d potentially be an upgrade from Simone Fontecchio at a reasonable price and is the type of move I’d expect the Pistons to explore now that the draft is over.