Rival teams expect the Pistons to be players in the free agent market this summer, writes Jake Fischer for The Stein Line (Substack link). They have the ability to create around $17MM in cap space if they choose to operate below the salary cap, a decision which could help shed light on the team’s roster-construction plans moving forward.
Fischer writes that the Pistons are looking at different options, including renting out space as a third team in bigger deals in order to accumulate assets or continuing to add veteran talent, a path that helped the team achieve a good measure of success this season.
Fischer also confirms prior reporting that much of Detroit’s focus has revolved around shooting big men such as Myles Turner and Naz Reid — he also adds Grizzlies restricted free agent Santi Aldama to the list of possible Pistons targets. However, Fischer says teams around the league are expecting all three of those bigs to remain with their current clubs.
There’s also the question of Detroit’s own free agents. Tim Hardaway Jr., Dennis Schröder, and Malik Beasley are all unrestricted free agents this summer, and with Jaden Ivey set to return from injury, it’s unclear how many backcourt minutes will be available for all three. Fischer believes Hardaway is the least likely of those free agents to return. Beasley and the Pistons have expressed mutual interest in finding a new deal, and Schröder was a hugely valuable piece for Detroit, especially in the playoffs.
We have more Pistons notes:
- The Pistons have the pieces to go big-name hunting for the first time in many years, writes Omari Sankofa II for the Detroit Free Press (subscription required). They have up to four tradable first-round picks, 15 second-rounders, and a combination of young, promising players and established veterans. However, with many teams similarly stocked with trade assets, making a blockbuster trade would likely mean paying a significant price, Sankofa writes in a column breaking down three potential deals the Pistons could consider. The first name he considers is the Suns’ Devin Booker, suggesting that a package might consist of Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, and a massive combination of first- and second-round picks. He also looks at what it could take to land either Giannis Antetokounmpo or Jaren Jackson Jr. The question the Pistons have to decide is whether Cade Cunningham‘s ascendance requires an acceleration of the team-building timeline.
- In a mailbag, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com breaks down the team’s priorities this offseason. The level to which Detroit succeeds next year depends, for the most part, on internal development, he writes. That includes Thompson experiencing his first healthy NBA offseason, Iver getting back to 100%, and players like Ron Holland II and Jalen Duren further honing their skill sets. Langlois also points to Cunningham becoming a more consistent three-point shooter and finding ways to cut down the turnovers as key points of emphasis.
- In the same mailbag, Langlois discusses which area is more important for Thompson moving forward — shooting or play-making. While a reliable jump shot would put Thompson over the top, Langlois believes that play-making is an area in which the athletic forward can find a great deal of value as he continues trying to develop his individual scoring. He points to a supercharged Josh Hart as a blueprint for how Thompson could find success as a defender, passer, and rebounder, and adds that in terms of the two options, the Pistons guard has a stronger base as a secondary play-maker to build off than he does as a shooter.
Ivey, Thompson, and 1st rounders would be a mistake in a trade for Devin Booker, I think. Their collective value is either commensurate or higher than Booker alone.
Detroit might want to let their Youngs grow together. Ivey was hurt, same with Ausar. Stick with them and Duran and Holland, find vets to fill the gaps until the young guys develop.
Agree. Atleast be giving Brook Lopez agent a call this off season.
Holland was a great pick. That Ignite team struggled; their players did not show much, despite being very talented. Buzelis and Holland might be some of the best picks from 2024. Detroit should definitely keep him, and the rest of the young guys, too.
Trading Ausar would be a mistake.
Devin Booker is not worth that much. Why would Detroit blow this team up and for Booker?? No way.
Booker was one of the best players in the league just 3 years ago, the best player on a No.1 seed 62-win team in the West, voted 4th in MVP, and IMO he was more 2-3 than 4. That season, he was every bit as good as Durant was at any point in the last 5 years. Teams around the league have been looking at it for a while, thinking: “if there’s a player of that calibre there, and he’s underappreciated due to Phoenix’s struggles, then maybe there’s a deal we can do”.
But I agree, Detroit should not blow the team up. Let it play out, do what Houston did.
Booker is part of the reason the suns have struggled though. The pistons were a better team. So how does trading away the guys (who are much younger, affordable, and have a ton of upside) from the better team for a guy who was a reason his team was worse make sense? It doesn’t. Same thing with people wanting the rockets to trade all of their young guys and draft picks for Durant or booker. It makes zero sense.
I don’t disagree with anything you’ve said. It makes no sense for Detroit to make trades now.
I’m just giving info on why Booker is highly regarded.
Pistons need to get some help for Cunningham in the ballhandling & creating department. Re-sign Schroeder, yes. But they need more than that.
Ivey should help with that when he is healthy.
Stretch and waiving Tobias nets the Pistons 26 million. That’s enough along with the 17 million to sign Schroder, Beasley and Hard away with a good 10 to 15 mill to spare.