The Detroit Pistons have been connected to Myles Turner, Naz Reid and Santi Aldama in offseason rumors and Aldama may be the most realistic option.
Insider Jake Fischer recently broke down the Pistons’ offseason, focusing on their rumored quest to find a seven-footer who can shoot.
Shooting has to be a priority for the Pistons no matter how they get it, as they are likely losing Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency, and they were already bad this season, finishing in the bottom half of the league in 3-point makes and accuracy.
Myles Turner is very likely to stay in Indiana after a run to the Finals and a possible title looming, and it would be difficult for the Pistons to carve out the $30 million a season it is going to take to get him without making other moves.
Naz Reid will similarly try to reunite with his current team, and they could end up folding his player option into a longer deal to do it, which would take him off the table. He’s another guy the Pistons wouldn’t be able to get with cap space alone.
That leaves Aldama, the restricted free agent from the Grizzlies, who may be the most realistic option of the three and the focus of the Pistons’ offseason according to Fischer.
Detroit Pistons free agency: Santi Aldama would be a nice fit
I’ve written about Aldama in the past, as the 24-year-old restricted free agent ticks a lot of boxes for the Pistons as a 6-foot-11 power forward who can shoot. Aldama hit nearly 37 percent of his five 3-point attempts per game this season, which would be a nice complement to Tobias Harris at power forward and give Cade Cunningham another weapon.
The Pistons could potentially steal him away from Memphis with a big offer sheet, as the Grizzlies are also contending with Jaren Jackson Jr’s next contract, which got somewhat more complicated after he failed to make All-NBA.
He’ll enter next season on an expiring contract, so the Grizzlies have to decide if they want to dedicate upwards of $120 million towards three players at the top of their payroll (Morant, Bane, JJJ) or to break up that group for more depth.
Fischer also suggested the possibility of a sign-and-trade with Aldama and the Pistons if Memphis isn’t willing to part ways with him for nothing.
The Pistons could view Aldama as extra depth for next season as well as a guy who could fill their most glaring long-term need, which is a stretch four to eventually replace Tobias Harris.