The Detroit Pistons just completed a wildly successful season, and it must be tempting to just run it back and hope internal growth from their young players is enough to push them to the next level.
That starts with bringing back free agents Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Dennis Schroder who were all key elements of Detroit’s success this season.
But doing so will likely prevent the Pistons from making other moves, so they would be at risk of topping out as a good-not-great team like the Hawks did after their unexpected run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
It’s a tough balancing act for Trajan Langdon, who is preaching patience but must also be watching the Knicks and Pacers and wondering if the right addition or two could get the Pistons there next season.
If the Pistons want to upgrade a roster spot (I have some ideas), it means some of their free agents won’t be coming back. Here are three that may have played their last game for the Pistons.
Lindy Waters III
This one is a no-brainer, as Waters III never had a role for the Pistons, is already 27, and they can replace him with this year’s draft pick for half the cost.
If you are going to carry a back-of-the-bench guy who doesn’t play, it may as well be a developmental project with upside who is still young.
Paul Reed
I love BBall Paul, and he played his role well this year for the Pistons, possibly too well to stay in their price range for a 3rd center.
The Pistons have needs elsewhere and can likely find a serviceable 3rd big in the draft or free agency, possibly even a familiar face. They can’t invest $4 million in this spot for a guy who only appeared in just over half of their games.
Reed may be able to find a similar contract in free agency and if so, the Pistons should look to cut some money here and go with a cheaper option.
Tim Hardaway Jr.
This one hurts, as THJ was great for the Pistons this season as a veteran leader and reliable shooter.
But he’s 33 years old, only shot 30 percent in the playoffs and would likely be pushed to a bench role with Jaden Ivey returning and Ausar Thompson cementing himself as a starter.
Would THJ take a vet's minimum and a much-smaller role off the bench?
It’s going to be difficult for the Pistons to bring back all three of Beasley, THJ and Schroder and upgrade their roster. As I said, Detroit may believe those upgrades are coming internally, and they might, as Thompson hasn’t even had an offseason or training camp yet and we could see a huge leap from him.
Duren is just 21 and has kept improving and the Pistons didn’t even have Isaiah Stewart or Jaden Ivey for the playoffs, and if they had, who knows, Detroit might be the ones taking the belt to Boston right now.
If Langdon chooses to use most of his cap space to bring back his own guys, I can’t blame him, but my guess is that not all of them will be returning to Detroit.