2016 NBA Free Agency: 1 move every team needs to make to be contenders

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons made the playoffs for the first time since 2009, but lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening round 4-0. Although the series record wasn’t close, the Pistons played competitively with the Cavaliers throughout all four games, including Game 4 which came down to a final missed shot from Reggie Jackson.

Between the Jackson/Drummond/Harris high screen-and-roll/pop, the three-point shooting from Kentavius Caldwell-Pope, and the defense and athleticism of Stanley Johnson, the Pistons have a group of players that not only made it to the playoffs but stayed with the best team in the East for much of the series. Marcus Morris also adds some depth off the bench.

All the Pistons need to do to stay competitive in 2016 is to run that all back, and sign Drummond to a max/long-term deal. Drummond is the key piece to this core moving forward, and Stan Van Gundy has been successful at beating LeBron James with this very archetype. Bringing Drummond and company back for another run at the playoffs is all that they need. Well, that and perhaps also some underhand free throws. Drummond had the worst free throw shooting percentage of his career in 2015-16, so a new form might not be a bad idea. Just ask Rick Barry.

Next: Golden State Warriors