Reported Detroit Pistons free agent targets all have red flags

Pascal Siakam- Decline and salary

The idea of Siakam in a lineup with Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren is certainly intriguing. Siakam would move the needle for the Pistons, and in the position they are in, they can't be too picky.

But Siakam appears to be a player in decline. His shooting numbers have dipped in some areas, improved in others, but what's troubling is that he is shooting just 24 percent from long range.

He would fill a need as a secondary scoring option and a guy who can make plays, but he and Cade Cunningham spend a lot of time in the same areas of the court.

Siakam will be 30 years old in April, and while hardly washed, the Pistons would potentially be giving a max deal to a guy who is on the wrong side of 30 and already showing signs of decline. What is that contract going to look like in two years? How about four?

I get it, Detroit can't make personnel decisions right now based on four years in the future, but it's something to consider. Paying non-max players max dollars is how you never escape mediocrity. Of course, mediocrity would be a significant upgrade at this point.

I am not 100 percent against Siakam and do think the Pistons would be lucky to even get him to come to Detroit, but there are some worrying factors. Detroit can't let perfect be the enemy of good in this case, and will have zero leverage with free agents, but if they could build themselves an out-clause into the contract, it would be a lot less troublesome.