The Detroit Pistons lost free-agent Dennis Schroder yesterday but could turn it into a sign-and-trade to land Malik Monk according to recent speculation.
Admittedly Monk would not be my first choice, but he is an accomplished scorer who can lead the second unit and provide the pop they are losing after Malik Beasley was removed as an option.
To be clear, this hasn’t happened yet, and until it does, this is all speculation, so take it with a grain of salt.
Caris LeVert and Malik Monk are arguably better all-around players than Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley even if they aren’t clear fits with two ball-dominant guards already on the roster in Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.
But the Pistons did lack secondary creation, especially from their bench, so if LeVert and Monk are the main acquisitions of the summer, they’ve improved one weakness while potentially making another one worse.
That’s a lot of 3-pointers to replace between Beasley, THJ and Schroder and the Pistons were already just 21st in the league in 3-point makes per game this season.
They could mitigate that somewhat by bringing on another shooter and Hardaway Jr. seems to be the most obvious choice.
Detroit Pistons free agency: Bringing back Tim Hardaway Jr.
The Pistons still have ways to make other moves, as there were rumors that they were shopping Simone Fontecchio and still have ways to carve out some money depending on how these deals go down, if they do.
As currently constructed (even if you count Monk), the Pistons wouldn’t have a real 3-point shooter on the roster unless they keep Tek and he returns to form, which is a possibility.
THJ isn’t lights out, but he’s steady, consistent and the Pistons know exactly what they’ll be getting in the locker room, which is a guy who has embraced a leadership role and seemed to enjoy playing in Michigan.
He would add some insurance to a bench that lacks 3-point shooting and give the Pistons at least one guy who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact.
Hardaway Jr. can still get hot and win you a game, so bringing him back should be a priority if the Pistons do end up with Monk in a sign-and-trade.
It would also save some of the continuity and chemistry the Pistons would be losing in Beasley and Schroder. The Pistons quickly pivoted from a team that looked like they were mostly going to run it back to one that may have new faces in key roles.
It wouldn’t hurt to have one familiar face back, so it will be interesting to see if the Pistons can find a way to retain Tim Hardaway Jr.