The Detroit Pistons went from a team that looked like it might blow up the roster to one that looks to have its long-term core in place. What a difference a year and a new coach can make.
Detroit has their superstar point guard Cade Cunningham with Jaden Ivey flanking him. They have two young wings in Ausar Thompson and rookie Ron Holland II and two young centers in Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart.
Both Ivey and Duren are extension eligible this summer, so if the Pistons lock them up, they will have their core for the foreseeable future.
The only position where they don’t have anyone for the long term is power forward, where Tobias Harris is under contract for just one more season after this one.
Harris has been one of the Pistons’ most important players this season and now looks like a guy they might try to retain for a few more seasons past next year.
Even if they do, the Pistons are dangerously thin at power forward, with no real backup or long-term plan yet on the roster.
They could deal with that issue in a number of ways next summer, and here are some names for each option.
Develop a player
Bobi Klintman
2025 2nd-round pick
The Pistons already have one developmental four in their system in Bobi Klintman, who has seen scant action this season for the Pistons after starting the year injured.
Even if he wasn’t hurt, it’s doubtful Klintman would be getting run, as he isn’t ready. He’s put up pedestrian numbers in the G-League and needs more time to develop physically to be able to hold down the four defensively.
The Pistons will also have a pick near the top of the 2nd round of the 2025 NBA Draft and could select another developmental power forward. I would also not be surprised to see the Pistons move up in the 2025 NBA Draft, which increases their options, are there are a lot of power forwards projected to be late first-round picks.
Carter Bryant, Alex Karaban, Johni Broome, Adou Thiero and Rasheer Fleming are all projected to go in that range.
The key to this option would be getting this person some playing time next season so they can start to develop behind Harris without much pressure.
Sign a veteran free agent
John Collins
Bobbi Portis
Taurean Prince
Chris Boucher
Both John Collins and Bobbi Portis have player options for next season so may not even be free agents. Of the two, Collins is more likely to opt out, as he’s putting up career numbers for a bad Jazz team and may think he can get a bigger payday on a long-term deal.
Portis lost all leverage after being suspended, so it’s up in the air with him.
Collins would give the Pistons more size and shooting on the wing, which they need, but given that he’d be a free agent, they might have to overpay to get him, which they don’t want to do.
Portis would give the Pistons more toughness, rebounding and shooting and can play several spots, so would be nice insurance. Of the two, I’d prefer Portis, as he’ll be cheaper and fills more needs.
Taurean Prince is the prototypical 3-and-D player and Chris Boucher is having a career year that should get him paid. Boucher is interesting as a shot blocker who can shoot a little.
If the Pistons don’t make a big trade this summer, I wouldn’t be shocked to see them pursue someone in this tier, as it would allow them to maintain quality depth without losing roster flexibility.
Poach a young player
Jonathan Kuminga
Isaiah Jackson
Jake LaRavia
Kuminga and Jackson are both restricted free agents, so their respective teams will have a chance to match any offer.
Jackson is also a center, not a power forward, so you can probably cross him off the list unless the Pistons need someone to replace Paul Reed as the 3rd big.
Kuminga is going to be one of the biggest names of the offseason, as the Warriors haven’t committed to him and have opened themselves up to losing him for nothing this summer, especially after shopping him in trades all season.
Kuminga, who is only 22-years-old, is going to look for a big payday that the Warriors may not be able to give him considering they already have $138 million dedicated to just Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green next season.
Could the Pistons poach a young player with huge potential? Kuminga fits the profile and timeline of what Detroit needs in a long-term solution, but they’d have to pay heftily to steal him away.
Jake LaRavia is an option if the Pistons just want a backup who can play 15 minutes a game and give you buckets. He’s not a huge difference maker but would give them another look and increase their depth.
The Pistons will have options this summer and have to start thinking about life after Tobias Harris, or at least a way to add depth to the position.