NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason needs for the Detroit Pistons
By Adam Stocker
The Detroit Pistons struggled through a disappointing season. Here are five offseason needs they should address this summer.
The Detroit Pistons regressed to 10th place in the Eastern Conference a year after making the playoffs. Head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy is entering his fourth season with the team. However, the pressure is going to be amplified on Van Gundy after his team disappointed.
The Pistons are in a salary cap crunch. Detroit has 14 players under contract next seasos for more than $104 million. That includes the $5.4 million that the Pistons are paying Josh Smith annually until the end of the 2020 season. However, that number does not include whatever contract Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signs. The guard is a restricted free agent, allowing the Pistons to match any contract he signs, or let him walk for nothing. The Pistons have heavily indicated that they will match any offer sheet that Caldwell-Pope signs this off-season. Currently, the NBA salary cap is projected to be around $102 million with the luxury tax beginning around $122 million. But given Detroit’s current cap situation, they will be unable to sign a splashy free-agent.
Somehow the Pistons need to create some financial flexibility if they are going to improve next season. The team can save $1.4 million by not picking up the team option on Darrun Hilliard’s contract. If Ayon Baynes opts out of his contract, the Pistons would save another $6.5 million. But the Pistons will need to find trade partners to open up more salary cap space.
Here are five players the Pistons should look at in the NBA off-season to fill their team needs.
5. Adding another small forward
The Pistons drafted Stanley Johnson eighth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. Two years into his career, Johnson does not look like Detroit’s long-term answer at forward and may not have a long NBA future at this point. The Arizona product has shown very little ability to shoot the basketball — 36.7 percent from the floor and only 30.1 percent on 3-pointers last year If Johnson does not improve his shooting next season, he could be out of the NBA after his rookie contract expires.
Marcus Morris is an average starting forward, but if the Pistons can upgrade and move him into a reserve role that would be ideal. Morris is signed to a fantastic contract from the last CBA, but he is not a great shooter. The former Kansas player only shot 41.8 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from behind the 3-point line.
Given the Pistons’ cap situation, they will be unable to sign anyone for close to max money. Instead, they will have to look for guys willing to accept a mid-level contract. Miami’s James Johnson had a breakout season after committing to his body. Other options for the Pistons included physical defensive stopper P.J. Tucker. Toronto will likely be unable to re-sign Tucker assuming they are able to re-sign Serge Ibaka and Kyle Lowry. Given how cash-strapped Toronto will be, Tucker will likely be allowed to hit the open market. While Tucker does not produce a lot of offense, he would give Detroit a player capable of guarding Jimmy Butler, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and LeBron James.