The Detroit Pistons will enter next offseason looking for ways to make a good team great and ensure this year’s run at the playoffs is a regular and sustained occurrence.
That doesn’t mean they have to go looking for a superstar, and they don’t really need to, as Jaden Ivey will be returning, and we can expect continued development from Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren and Ron Holland II that will be the equivalent of adding better players to a team already fighting for playoff seeding.
But the right addition could push them over the top, which is why I’ve written about the possibility of landing free-agent Naz Reid, a 25-year-old versatile big who can play either spot and shoot.
Depth at power forward is the Pistons’ biggest long-term need and Reid would go a long way towards solving it while also giving Detroit a guy who can also play center.
That notion may have been complicated somewhat by the Pistons’ recent scuffle with the Timberwolves, as Reid was at the heart of it (started the whole thing actually) and may not view Detroit as a team he wants to play for.
We’ve seen NBA players join “enemies” before (Dennis Rodman to the Bulls comes to mind), and fans often have a more emotional reaction than players, who know what it’s like to compete at the highest level and know that a bit of pushing and shoving is nothing to carry a grudge over.
I’m not the only one who thinks Reid to the Pistons is a great idea, as Bleacher Report recently added the notion to their 10 free-agent predictions for the summer.
Detroit Pistons free agency: Naz Reid
The scuffle between Naz Reid and the Pistons showed me one thing: He’d fit right in.
The Pistons are building a culture around defense, hustle and team chemistry, attributes Reid has in abundance.
He also shoots nearly 40 percent on over six three-point attempts per game, so he’s the type of floor space the Pistons need at the four spot, especially considering Tobias Harris only has one more year left on his deal after this one and Detroit does not have an in-house replacement.
Reid is definitely a fit when it comes to roster and culture, but can the Pistons afford him?
What is Naz Reid going to command in free agency?
First Naz Reid has to make it to free agency, and he may not. He has a player option left on his contract for $15 million, though he’ll likely decline that in search of a bigger deal.
The Pistons can likely start with an offer of around $106 million for four years and then try to use their MLE to retain Malik Beasley, though that may not be enough, as it starts at just under nine million per year.
The Timberwolves can match or beat the Pistons’ offer if they want to, so if Reid and Minnesota want a reunion, they will likely get it.
Both Minnesota and Detroit have to decide how much is too much for Reid, but he’s getting a substantial raise either way if he does hit free agency.
Reid represents an impact player that the Pistons can potentially add without dismantling their team or trading any of their young guys, which would allow them to maintain their roster chemistry while significantly improving.