3 free-agent flops Pistons rightfully avoided, 5 home runs they missed out on

Free agent misses

Dennis Schroder

The Pistons were looking for a veteran point guard to help ease the burden for their young backcourt, but it turns out they got the wrong one. I think the trade for Monte Morris was a good one and you can't do much about injuries, but you also can't ignore the reality.

Schroder signed a 2-year/$26 million deal with the Raptors and is having one of the best seasons of his career, averaging 16.6 points and 6.6 assists per game. A guy like him who can get to the rim, take care of the ball, get his own shot or set up teammates, would have been a nice addition next to Cade Cunningham.

As the Pistons saw firsthand, Schroder can still get buckets, still break down a defense, and is a smart veteran who doesn't turn the ball over much. In retrospect, he would have been perfect, and cost them marginally more than Monte Morris, who has yet to play.

Max Strus

Strus was technically a sign-and-trade after he couldn't come to an agreement with Miami. He was traded to Cleveland who promptly signed him to a 4-year/$62 million deal.

Some thought this was an overpay, a typical Heat player getting too much after making it to the Finals.

It turns out that Strus has been a huge bargain and one of the most improved players in the NBA this season. Strus is averaging 14 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4 assists per game while shooting 39 percent from 3-point range on 7.6 attempts per game.

Unlike anyone on the Pistons, Strus is a guy you have to guard on the perimeter or he will burn you, as the Pistons again found out firsthand in a recent loss to Cleveland. A floor-spreader in his prime with big-time playoff experience? Could the Pistons use one of those? Of course, but at least they have their mythical financial flexibility!

So the Pistons whiffed on two scorers, but they also could have went the 3-and-D route.