NBA Free Agency 2017: One signing every team should make

Detroit Pistons: Ben McLemore

Remember the preseason heading into the 2016-17 campaign for the Detroit Pistons? Those were simpler times, without question. With Stan Van Gundy at the helm, many were quite high on the prospects of what Detroit would be able to do this past season. However, they were almost wholly disappointing as injuries and generally lackluster play never allowed them to reach the ceiling that many hoped they would. Yet, the Pistons will continue to try and surround Andre Drummond with athletic wings that can shoot.

Though he’s largely been a disappointment in his career to this point, Ben McLemore in his simplest form fits the bill for what the Pistons will likely be pursuing this offseason. Despite not being the star that many in the Sacramento Kings front office hoped he’d develop into, McLemore has notably improved throughout his time in the league. He’s improved his outside shooting every year that he’s been in the league, going from 32 percent 3-point shooting as a rookie to 38.2 percent this past season.

Still just 24 years old, there’s reason to believe that McLemore’s best days are still ahead of him and that he can still round out into a more complete player. Though the Pistons drafted Luke Kennard with the 12th pick in the 2017 draft to help with their outside shooting, chances are he won’t be ready to contribute right away. McLemore could help with the transition, while also bringing the upside of potentially budding as a high-quality player once he’s out of Sacramento.