Underrated free agent could give Pistons a defensive spark
The Detroit Pistons have the cap space to pursue free agents this summer but need to use it wisely.
They need to find quality players to replace their outgoing free agents, and there are some interesting possibilities outside of the top guys.
If the Pistons strike out or choose to pass on the higher-priced targets, they can still find valuable role players to complement their core guys.
Detroit Pistons free agency: Derrick Jones Jr.
Derrick Jones Jr. is a player who has been getting a lot of love in Dallas for the way he's helped improve the team's defense this season but specifically since the All-Star break. Since Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington both joined him in the starting lineup, the Mavericks have been on a tear, going 16-2 in that span with one of the best defensive ratings in the NBA.
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Jones Jr. has been a lockdown defender on the perimeter, where he flies around making plays like this block on Steph Curry. He's athletic, versatile and can make plays in transition.
He's never been a great shooter, but he has improved to 34 percent from long range on 3.2 attempts per game and can hit a corner three when he's open. He's efficient inside the 3-point line, hitting 61 percent of his two-point shots, many of which are spectacular dunks.
He does have some crossover with Ausar Thompson, another excellent athlete and defender who is not a great long-range shooter, but the Pistons need to improve their defense and Derrick Jones Jr. has shown he can do that as he has for the 50-win Mavericks, who are currently one of the hottest teams in the NBA.
The Pistons should be gathering as many 3-and-D players as possible and Jones Jr. has shown he can contribute winning plays on a very good team. He's an unrestricted free agent after this season and will be getting a raise from his current $2.7 million salary, but he'll still be a value free agent.
He's not a perfect fit because of the shooting, but the Pistons also need upgrades in defense, hustle and energy level, which DJJ could bring at a relatively low cost that would still leave them open to make bigger moves
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