The Detroit Pistons nailed one of the keys to successful team building under the new CBA, which is to find value deals for productive players.
Malik Beasley was at the top of this list, as he made just $6 million on a one-year deal and was one of the best 3-point shooters in the league.
Even players like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Isaiah Stewart, who made $16 and 15 million, respectively, were relative bargains for the type of production they provided.
Add in that the Pistons still had Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, Ron Holland II and Marcus Sasser on their rookie deals, and the Pistons had one of the most financially efficient rosters in the NBA this season.
That won’t last forever, as Cade’s extension kicks in next season, and both Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren are up for their own extensions.
The Pistons will have to continue to find good value veterans in free agency and trades to increase their quality depth. My guess is that Trajan Langdon is going to preach patience at his press conference later today, so none of these players are stars, or guys in the prime of their careers.
But they would make solid additions, especially if the Pistons can buy low.
Larry Nance Jr.
One of the Pistons’ biggest needs this year was a backup four with size, preferably one that could shoot. This got exposed a bit in the playoffs, as the Pistons had to put Tobias Harris exclusively on Karl-Anthony Towns, which wasn’t a great matchup.
Nance Jr. Is well past his prime and has a long history of injuries, but the Pistons wouldn’t need him to play big minutes. Nance Jr. would give the Pistons some depth and a guy who has knocked down 3-point shots at a high rate over the last two seasons.
He’s an unrestricted free agent who will likely have to settle for a near minimum deal.
Andre Drummond
Why not? Depending on what happens with free-agent Paul Reed, the Pistons may be looking for a 3rd big on a cheap deal.
Drummond has always expressed interest in returning to Detroit, and even though he too is well past his prime, he can still grab boards and has always been a decent passer. You could do worse for a third center on a minimum deal, and it would be a fun story.
Brook Lopez
Noted Pistons killer Brook Lopez is an unrestricted free agent this summer and an interesting one. It’s doubtful he gets anywhere near the $23 million he made this season but there will be several teams after his services.
He’s 36 but can still shoot the 3-ball and block shots, which will give him value. How much is the question.
Is any team going to pay Lopez like a starting center? Few teams have cap space, so it’s hard to see anyone giving him that kind of money.
He’s not a perfect fit for the Pistons, as he’s not a 3rd center type, but he shoots well enough to play him with other bigs at times.
Lopez on $5 million a year would be great, but is that realistic? Probably not.
Bobby Portis
Portis has a $13 million player option for next season that he has until the end of June to accept, and he might.
He’d have to decline it to reach free agency and may find that there isn’t another payday that big coming his way.
I like Portis as a tough, versatile big who can knock down 3-point shots. He’d be a cheaper option if the Pistons strike out on Naz Reid (my preferred guy but he won’t be cheap) and provides many of the same things.
If Portis opts out in search of a longer deal, something in the area of 2 years/$18 million would give Detroit more depth and eventually a veteran replacement for Tobias Harris.