Remaining free agents and who the Pistons should target
By Tyler Dutton
Isaac Okoro, 6’5 SG/SF
2023/2024 Statline - 9.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.9 apg, 49.0 FG%, 39.1 3PT%
Isaac Okoro is an interesting name, as I would not have put any thought to him in Detroit last week. That was before Trajan Langdon and Tom Gores hired JB Bickerstaff as this team’s new head coach. JB spent time as the Cavaliers HC with Isaac Okoro, and could see an opportunity in the slightly underwhelming, former lottery pick.
Okoro is a restricted free agent, meaning Detroit could tender an offer, but Cleveland would have a chance to match. At worst, you force the Cavs to overpay for Okoro. At best, you steal a 23 year old, 6-foot-5 guard who has his best basketball still in front of him. With just four seasons under his belt, Okoro had career bests this past year in almost all categories. Almost 10 points per game, 50 percent field goal percentage, and almost 40 percent from three on 3.1 attempts per game. His untapped offensive potential paired with his reported toughness and elite defensive game should put him on the map for Detroit.
Cleveland has extended a qualifying offer of $11.8 million so Detroit would need to surpass this aggressively to scare the Cavs away, likely around the $15-$16 million range. But he might be worth the swing.
Buddy Hield, 6’4 SG/SF
2023/2024 Statline - 12.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.0 apg, 42.6 FG%, 38.9 3PT%
If you were upset that Detroit brought in 32 year old Tobias Harris, you won’t likely want them to do the same with Buddy Hield. Held is currently 31, and has been in the league for quite some time. But, that doesn’t mean his skills right now wouldn’t help our 14-win Pistons.
Since coming out of college, Hield has done nothing but space the floor. In fact, if you search for a floor spacer in the dictionary, you will see Buddy’s picture. He’s a career 40 percent three point shooter, and, similar to Harris, had quite a disappointing ending to the season in Philadelphia, possibly making him available for cheap. He would bring spacing for our wings and centers, and take some scoring pressure off Cade.