A possible free agent off the board for the Detroit Pistons
Expect the Detroit Pistons to be busy this summer.
The search is already underway for a new President of Basketball Operations and that person will have immediate decisions to make on the front office and head coach, so the Pistons have plenty to do before we even get to the roster.
The Pistons will have the most cap space of any team this summer, but free agency is dwindling fast. Yesterday, another possible free agent put himself out of reach when Grayson Allen signed a four-year extension to stay with the Suns.
Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen has agreed to a four-year, near $70 million contract extension through 2027-28, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Allen has had a breakout first season in Phoenix, averaging 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3 assists, 49.9% from field, 46.1% from 3. pic.twitter.com/BO6CBSmN6B
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 15, 2024
Allen, who is leading the NBA in 3-point percentage, would have been a potential free-agent target for the Pistons, who need shooting and another starting-caliber guard. Allen would have been a nice complement to Cade Cunningham, but that point is moot now, as he’ll be staying in Phoenix.
dark. Related Story. 5 President of Basketball Operations candidates for the Pistons. 5 President of Basketball Operations candidates for the Pistons
So, when it comes to shooting, who is left in free agency?
Detroit Pistons free agency: The remaining shooters
There will be a few elite 3-point shooters on the market this summer, including Klay Thompson, Buddy Hield and Luke Kennard.
Thompson is likely to stay in Golden State, so you can rule him out. Hield definitely qualifies as an elite shooter, but he doesn’t play defense and will be 32 years old. Hield has always been durable, so his age isn’t as big an issue as his defense. Should the Pistons be taking on another one-dimensional player who will be making a ton of money? Questionable.
A cheaper option would be Luke Kennard, who is not durable and also can’t defend, but won’t demand as big a contract if Memphis declines his team option for next season. Kennard shot 45 percent on six 3-point attempts per game, so he is an elite shooter, but he only played 39 games. Memphis still has the option of keeping Kennard for $14 million next season.
Gary Trent Jr has hit nearly 40 percent of his 3-point attempts this season and has been a 38.6 percent long-range shooter for his career. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent and a name to watch.
Malik Monk isn’t an elite shooter but he’s a heat check guy off the bench who can score in bunches. He’s only hitting 35 percent of his six attempts per game but has shot 40 percent in a season in the past. There may be too much crossover with Marcus Sasser, who the Pistons have penciled in for this role for now.
There are still shooters left for the Detroit Pistons to pursue, but the options are more limited with Grayson Allen out of the picture.
manual