After winning just 14 games this season, it’s safe to say the Detroit Pistons need to improve the roster if they want to be competitive in the Eastern Conference.
With a top-five draft pick and heaps of cap space, the Pistons are in a position to make those improvements, but timing is going to be everything.
Can they find a team with a contract they want to get rid of for cheap? Can the Pistons use their pick and some of their young talent to make a big splash? Can they find the right combination of free agents to build a competent roster?
One team to watch this summer is the Indiana Pacers, who have a logjam at a position of need for the Pistons.
Could Detroit Pistons take advantage of Pacers’ logjam at power forward?
The Indiana Pacers made a leap into the playoffs this season and will look to continue to build around budding superstar Tyrese Haliburton (sigh).
But if they want to keep most of their roster together, they have some tough decisions. Assuming they bring Pascal Siakam back, the Pacers will potentially have four power forwards on the roster who are all looking for and expect minutes.
Detroit’s biggest need is power forward depending on how you view Isaiah Stewart, who has made nice strides as a shooter but still profiles more as a versatile big man who plays some at both spots.
In a recent interview, Pacers’ GM Chad Buchanan talked about one of his power forwards Obi Toppin, a restricted free agent the Pacers would like to bring back (according to him) after he had the best season of his career and appeared in all 82 games, providing high efficiency scoring off the bench.
If the Pacers do retain Toppin, it could open some doors for the Detroit Pistons.
Pistons free agency: Jalen Smith
Jalen Smith, who is a tweener big who can play both center and power forward, has a player option left on his contract at $5.4 million.
He has until the end of June to exercise it otherwise he’ll be a free agent. If Detroit wanted to swoop in and make an offer, they could likely steal Smith in free agency (assuming he declines the option), as the Pacers have other issues they’d like to address.
As the Pistons’ roster currently stands, Smith is not an ideal fit, though you could argue that his shooting (42 percent from long range) and versatility would make him playable with either Duren or Stewart in certain lineups.
Smith would make a great backup center for Duren, as he can spread the floor and is more dynamic offensively. There’s also the argument that Stewart, Smith and Duren have all missed plenty of games, so having three competent bigs, two of whom are versatile enough to play the four, isn’t the worst thing.
But there might be an even better option for the Pistons.
Detroit Pistons trade: Jarace Walker
If the Pacers bring back Siakam, Toppin and Smith it’s hard to see how the 20-year-old Walker fits into their plans, especially after only playing 33 games as a rookie.
Coming out of college, he did draw some comparisons to Beef Stew, but that was mostly physically, as both guys are very strong with a big, wide frame at the shoulders.
Walker is also 6-foot-8 with a massive wingspan and can defend up and down the lineup, so there are some similarities.
But Walker is far more dynamic offensively, especially as a passer and attacking closeouts, two things Stewart is still working on. He doesn’t have a huge highlight reel from this season, but you can see he’s got some playmaking chops that Stewart lacks:
Is there still too much crossover? To me, you can never have too many big, versatile defenders who can shoot. This is a prototype all teams are trying to stockpile for the playoffs, when traditional centers often become targets defensively.
The Pistons would still likely need a veteran center, but having two bigs who can come off the bench and play wherever you need them would be a weapon for whoever is coaching the Pistons next season.
The question is what the Pistons would have to give up to get him. Has Walker’s value dropped after being a forgotten man in Indiana? Would he be worth giving up assets to acquire? Fair questions.
Although they are not perfect fits, the Pacers do have a plethora of big men who could end up available this summer if the Pistons want to load up on more size and versatility.