4 Longshot buyout options for the Detroit Pistons
By Tyler Dutton
Chimezie Metu, 6’9 PF/C, 26
If Bouknight would pull Detroit’s defense down, Metu’s addition wouldn't likely make the Pistons a defensive powerhouse, but he wouldn’t hurt them either. At 6-foot-9 and still just 26 years old, Chimezie was just included in the Royce O’Neal deal that sent him to the Memphis Grizzlies.
After just one season in Phoenix, Metu averaged five points, three rebounds, and shot 30 percent from three. Even though he started five games for the sSns at the center position, Metu only averaged 12 minutes per game. Detroit has somewhat of an open roster spot as the third power forward, and with his size and above average defensive rating of 113, there might be some minutes for the big man out of USC. During his most productive season with Sacramento, Metu averaged 9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and almost 1.5 stocks per game. The next season he saw his minutes per game be cut in half, and his production followed suit.
Furkan Korkmaz, 6’7 SG, 26
Furkan Korkmaz was once a solid rotation player for the 76ers a few years back. Philadelphia deemed him so valuable that they have infamously denied Korkmaz’s trade request for multiple seasons. This past deadline, however, they finally moved the 6-foot-7 wing to the Pacers as a part of the Buddy Hield trade. He was then quickly waived, joining the others on this list of buyout signing candidates.
Korkmaz has great size that allows him to play big ball three, or solidly at the four. His overall numbers are extremely underwhelming being he was a former bench player, then out of rotation for Philly. He averaged 2.5 points, .9 rebounds, and just .4 assists this season for the Sixers. He is, however, shooting the three ball at 35 perent, and just last season was connecting at almost 40 percent. His shooting potential is still there, but even at 35 percent, he isn’t terrible. Again, Detroit currently has an opening at PF behind Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson, both of whom can play other positions as well making an even bigger opening.