It’s no secret that the Detroit Pistons would love to add a stretch big and the Memphis Grizzlies have two of them in Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama, both of whom have been connected to Detroit in offseason speculation.
To be clear, speculation is all it is, and as one of the only teams with cap space, the Pistons will be mentioned in just about every rumor, so just because they are mentioned doesn’t mean they are a realistic option.
JJJ would be the more “ambitious” target of the two, and you do have to wonder about the Grizzlies’ intention when it comes to his future with the team.
You also have to wonder what the cost would be to obtain him, especially after seeing the monster haul Memphis got for Desmond Bane. Bane is under contract for four more seasons, and the Grizzlies had to take back a bad contact, but that haul is stil the floor for what it would take to land JJJ.
JJJ is probably a pipe dream, but how about Aldama? Will the Bane deal affect how Memphis approaches his free agency?
Detroit Pistons free agency: Santi Aldama and the Bane trade fallout
Insider Jake Fischer recently said Aldama was the most realistic option for the Pistons, mostly because he’s a restricted free agent and the Grizzlies would have a hard time carving out the money for him.
That might have changed now that they bought themselves some more financial flexibility with the Bane trade, as Memphis gained a bit of cap space in the deal and cleared at least two years of money off their future books. Cole Anthony has only a team option left on his deal after next season, so the Grizzlies could potentially clear $13 million more off their books after next season.
That might be enough to keep Aldama, which could be a priority if the Grizzlies don’t opt for a full tear down of their roster, which many think they might after downgrading from Desmond Bane to KCP.
There could potentially be a lot of moving parts in Memphis, which makes it hard to gauge just how available Aldama will be.
He’d be a nice fit as a near seven-footer who can spread the floor and still has room to improve. The Pistons need more shooting and depth at the four, so he checks a couple of boxes for the present and future.
The Grizzlies got the summer started in stunning fashion, but they may not be finished, and the Pistons should be lurking of one of their big men is made available.
Grizzlies fans will be waiting nervoulsy to see what happens next and may end up hating the Pistons by the time the summer is over, especially if Detroit can steal a fan favorite free agent without giving up anything.