The Pistons may be saying farewell to starting power forward Tobias Harris in free agency this summer, but could find another veteran forward to replace him. Miami's Andrew Wiggins is looking like the perfect replacement for Harris' role in Detroit after the first half of postseason action this year. Not only does Wiggins provide the same solid defense and scoring as Harris, but he's also a much more confident shooter.
Andrew Wiggins would be a perfect fit on the Pistons
Detroit has already been great this season, but could ascend to another level with Wiggins in place of Harris. For years, Wiggins has been a very solid veteran role players who's also capable of creating his own bucket in a pinch. This versatility in his role helped the Warriors win a title in 2022, when he was arguably the second-best player on the team.
Now in Miami, Wiggins is continuing to show the fundamental skills that have defined his career. In the first half of the Play-In Game against the Hornets, he's up to 10 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist while shooting 4-of-7 from the field and 2-of-4 from three. He's been good for the Heat on both ends, and it's helped the Heat jump out to the lead despite being underdogs.
The Pistons have benefitted heavily from solid veteran presences the last two seasons, including Harris' steady presence. Wiggins might be a new face, but he could provide the same or even better impact as Harris. In addition to his on-court contribution, he could also add his championship experience to guide the Pistons' young core to new heights.
There is one big obstacle to Wiggins' free agency
Unfortunately for the Pistons, Wiggins isn't guaranteed to be a free agent this summer. He's got a player option for next season at a hefty $30M price tag. But Wiggins could decline that option if he can get a longer-term deal elsewhere.
The Pistons may have a busy financial offseason as is, with the extensions of Jalen Duren and possibly Ausar Thompson kicking in. Adding a multi-year deal for Wiggins, even if it's at a significant discount compared to his current salary, would only complicate things. But if the Pistons get through the playoffs and decide they need a veteran upgrade at power forward, Wiggins can be their guy.
Andrew Wiggins is one of the biggest unsung heroes in the NBA. His season stats - 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block per game - tell the true story. He does everything needed to win games for his team, and the Pistons would be wise to pursue him if he's available. Wiggins has serious potential to be the missing team that turns Detroit into a juggernaut.
Add us as a preferred source on Google