So far this offseason, the Detroit Pistons have not been big players in free agency. In fact, they have even lost out on a lot of their top free agent choices, including last year’s backup point guard Dennis Schroder who was acquired at the trade deadline. Schroder did a good job of steadying the offense when Cade Cunningham was resting last season and in the playoffs, and his departure to the Sacramento Kings raises a serious question about the Pistons’ distribution of point guard minutes next season.
Current Options
Currently, the Pistons have a few guys signed who can take on the burden of leading the offense as the point guard. Of course, Cade Cunningham will be the first choice in this role but it is the minutes that he’s resting where the Pistons could see some issues.
Outside of Cade, the Pistons will also likely expect Jaden Ivey to play some point guard as he returns from injury and rely on third-year guard Marcus Sasser. Both are capable of running the point in a pinch but are better suited as shooting guards due to their score-first playstyles and lack of playmaking compared to a true lead guard like Cunningham.
Another emergency option which we may see used on extremely rare occasions is free agent pickup Caris LeVert. LeVert is primarily more of a wing that can offer shooting and self-creation from the shooting guard and small forward spots but he has played some point guard in the past when his teams have had injuries. He certainly has above-average playmaking for his size and, at any rate, can help at least provide secondary playmaking for another point guard. On a rare case where some other guards are missing time and the Pistons are looking particularly thin at the position, coach JB Bickerstaff (who LeVert previously played for in Cleveland) might have him run the point as well.
Free Agent Market
At this point, the free agent market has largely dried up and the remaining options all have their flaws. Of these options, I think opting for a veteran backup point guard who can bring leadership to the team and still contribute by organizing the offense would be the best options. Some players who are still available and meet this criteria are: Malcolm Brogdon, Delon Wright, Cameron Payne, and Chris Paul.
Brogdon is the most complete of these players and can contribute significantly if he finds his form from his pre-Wizards days. The others all have their flaws: Wright has lost his shooting touch in the last couple seasons, Payne is too small to be a solid defender, and Paul has lost some steps as he is entering his 21st season. But all are capable of organizing an offense filled with young players, and may be worth signing at the right price to add depth at a hugely important position.