As the worst team in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons will have plenty of work to do on their roster this offseason.
I recently asked fans what they thought the biggest offseason roster need was, and most of the answers came back with some form of “new owner,” “fire Troy,” or “replace the coach,” which is not exactly what I had in mind when I asked for “roster” needs.
But I will start there, as we look at the Detroit Pistons’ biggest needs this offseason and the dream candidates to fill them.
Detroit Pistons’ biggest offseason needs
A new GM
Candidates: Trajan Langdon, Tommy Balcetis, Peter Dinwidde, Tayshaun Prince
I’ll play along even though I have serious doubts that Troy Weaver will be relieved of his duties as Pistons’ GM this summer. But if he is, there are a number of interesting candidates to replace him, including Trajan Langdon, current GM of the Pelicans. Langdon is smart and has a keen eye for talent, as we’ve seen with New Orleans, where he has found guys like Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado and Trey Murphy III later in the draft.
Tommy Balcetis is a young rising star in the Nuggets organization, a former player at Harvard who is known for his savvy use of analytics as he helped build a champion in a mid-market city as assistant GM. He’ll be getting the big job for someone soon.
Peter Dinwiddie is also known for his use of analytics as executive VP of the 76ers and how about former Pistons great Tayshaun Prince? He’s been VP of Basketball Affairs in Memphis and many view him as a guy who will eventually be a GM.
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A new head coach
Candidates: Chris Quinn, Charles Lee, Jarron Collins
Again, I have my doubts that Monty Williams will be fired just one season into a seven-year deal, but if Tom Gores decides to completely clean house and wash the stink of this season away, Monty could be shown the door. Since we just went through this, I am the Detroit Pistons have some people in mind.
I like Chris Quinn from the Miami Heat, who has been with Miami his entire career and is learning from one of the best coaches in the game in Spoelstra. I am sure Charles Lee will get another shot and he was recently tagged for an interview for the open Hornets' position. Charlotte moved their head coach to the front office before the season ended to get a jump on their interviews and I do think the Pistons would likely do the same if they were going to fire Monty Williams.
I liked Jarron Collins in the last round of interviews and still do, as the assistant coach for the Pelicans has received high marks from everyone who has worked with him, has been a part of three title teams and is known to be a savvy defensive strategist, something the Pistons could use.
Now let’s get to the biggest roster needs.
A starting power forward
Dream candidate: Lauri Markkanen
Unfortunately, it looks as though Utah is going to try and restructure Markkanen’s deal this summer, so he is unlikely to hit the trade market, and even if he did, it’s unclear if the Pistons have enough assets to get him anyway.
This isn’t a knock on Isaiah Stewart, who improved this season and was arguably the team’s second-best player. But the combination of Duren and Stewart is problematic, so if the Pistons can find a starting-level power forward and move one of their bigs to the bench (or in a trade), that would be ideal.
Tobias Harris and Pascal Siakam are possibilities in free agency, as is Paul George, who was recently named as an unlikely possibility. Jalen Smith and Obi Toppin from the Pacers are lower tier guys the Pistons could target.
A Defensive center
Dream candidate: Nic Claxton
Some fans would disagree with this, but the Pistons need to add more defense at center, even if that means moving on from Jalen Duren, which would be tough after the promise he has shown as a 20-year-old.
But putting up double-doubles while playing no defense does not cut it, and a guy like Nic Claxton, a free agent who is miles ahead of Duren defensively, is a better fit what the Pistons are building.
Isaiah Hartenstein might be a more likely option, as he could come in and backup Duren at center, providing more defense off the bench. There is also a possibility the Pistons could add defensive savant Donovan Clingan in the draft, but they must upgrade the position defensively, even if that means trading Duren and offering Claxton a mountain of money in free agency.
Shooters/Role players
Dream Candidate: Grayson Allen
Some fans have an aversion to Allen, who they think is a “dirty player.” My god, do you even remember Bill Laimbeer? Quit clutching your pearls. Dirty or not, Allen is the best 3-point shooter in the NBA, hitting a wild 47 percent on nearly six attempts per game.
He’s also not a slouch on defense, so would give the Pistons a two-way wing they could plug into almost any lineup. I’d much rather have Allen than Buddy Hield, who will be more expensive and is far worse on defense.
Malik Monk is another strong candidate for the Pistons, as he will be unrestricted and it’s unlikely the Kings will be able to bring him back. Reunions with Luke Kennard or Bruce Brown are a possibility if their respective teams don’t pick up their options.
Veteran point guard
Dream candidate: Jrue Holiday
Holiday has a player option for a whopping $39 million next season which he is likely to exercise, but will the Celtics be able to afford to keep him? They will have over $131 million tied up in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White.
If the Celtics were to move Holiday, the Pistons should be all over it even though he is already 33 years old. He is a consummate professional, a great guy off the court, shoots 43 percent from 3-point range and is still one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. Who better to try and turn this culture around? I would love Holiday next to Cade Cunningham and as a mentor for Jaden Ivey.
Tyus Jones would be a nice option, is still only 27 and is shooting 41 percent from long range. He’s also an unrestricted free agent. A reunion with Monte Morris is also a possibility here.