The Detroit Pistons have a lot to do this offseason. The Pistons, who have not made the playoffs since 2019, need a coach and assistant general manager. They also have roster and draft decisions to make.<\/p>\n
The past four years have been rough for Detroit. But this past season was particularly tough. The Pistons finished with a 17-65 record, which was their second-fewest in franchise history. The Pistons used 32 starting lineups, and no player appeared in more than 76 contests. Jaden Ivey<\/strong><\/a>, Bojan Bogdanovic<\/strong><\/a>, and Cade Cunningham<\/strong><\/a> combined to miss 101 games.<\/p>\n On a positive note, Ivey and Jalen Duran<\/strong><\/a> showed encouraging signs.<\/p>\n Detroit has been looking for a coach since Dwane Casey<\/strong><\/a> announced that he was stepping down to take a front-office position with the organization. Casey went 121-263 in five seasons with the Pistons, making the playoffs in his first team with the franchise. The Pistons are still in the midst of their coaching search.<\/p>\n Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press<\/a> recently said that Kevin Ollie, Charles Lee, and Jarron Collins are meeting with owner Tom Gores in Los Angeles this week. While those three are considered the leading candidates for the job, there could still be other candidates.<\/p>\n As their record indicates, the Pistons had a multitude of issues. Besides injuries, shooting was Detroit’s biggest issue this past season. The Pistons ranked last in field goal percentage<\/a> as they connected on 45.4% of their attempts. They were also 22nd in 3-point percentage and 21st in free throw percentage.<\/p>\n Overall, Detroit ranked 28th in offensive and 27th in defensive efficiency. The only thing the Pistons did well last year was offensive rebounding. They were also decent in defending the 3-point line and transition defense.<\/p>\n Detroit has 12 players under contract worth $96.5 million for the 2023-24 season. The Pistons have some flexibility, as Alec Burks<\/strong><\/a> has a $10.4 million club option. R.J. <\/strong>Hampton’s<\/b><\/a>\u00a0contract is nonguaranteed, while Eugene Omurayi<\/strong><\/a> and Isaiah Livers <\/a><\/strong>have\u00a0club options.<\/p>\n If the Pistons release those four and the cap holds on their four free agents, they could have $36.9 million in cap space. Hamidou Diallo<\/strong><\/a>, Cory Joseph<\/strong><\/a>, Rodney McGruder<\/strong><\/a>, and Jared Rhoden<\/strong><\/a> (two-way) are the free agents.<\/p>\n Burks, Livers, James Wiseman<\/a><\/strong>, Killian Hayes<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> and Isaiah<\/strong>\u00a0Stewart<\/strong><\/a> are eligible for extensions before the season starts. Livers and Stewart are the most likely to receive an extension if any do.<\/p>\n Detroit is also assured of a top-5 selection in the upcoming draft. The Pistons are tied for the best chance of claiming the top pick, but they can’t fall below No. 5 in the lottery. They also own the first pick in the second round (No. 31 overall).<\/p>\n The Pistons won the lottery in 2021 and selected Cunningham with the pick.<\/p>\n Burks is almost sure to have his option picked up. The 31-year-old wing is instant offense off the bench. He averaged 12.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 51 appearances this past season. Burks scored in double-figures 31 times, topping the 20-point plateau on seven occassions.<\/p>\n Livers’ 1.8 million club option is also expected to be picked up. While the 24-year-old struggled this past, Pistons’ general manager\u00a0 Troy Weaver told The Athletic<\/a> in midseason that he sees Livers as part of the team’s core, and he doubled down on that during his end-of-season press conference when he said Livers is currently the lone wing on the roster who carries the 3-and-D upside.<\/p>\n McGruder is an end-of-bench type player. He is a fantastic chemistry guy who has developed into a reliable 3-point shooter. So, if he doesn’t get a better offer, McGruder could return to the Pistons to mentor the team’s youngsters.<\/p>\n Hampton and Omuray’s return is a young combo guard who could return as he is slated to make just $1.9 million. Hampton had his moments in 21 appearances for the Pistons and gets after it defensively. Meanwhile, Omurayi has a high motor and is excellent around the rim. However, he struggles from the perimeter.<\/p>\n Diallo, a slasher, is a capable scorer despite struggling from the 3-point line. The 24-year-old wing was playing the best basketball of his career before injuring his ankle in March. He also has improved defensively. While there is a chance Diallo returns, he may cost too much and should find a better opportunity.<\/p>\n This past season, Joseph wasn’t expected to have a role before injuries decimated the Pistons’ backcourt. The 31-year-old should be able to find a better situation as he improved his 3-point shooting during his tenure with Detroit. He also did a spectacular job leading the Pistons’ offense.<\/p>\n Detroit could have as few as two open roster spots heading into the NBA new year if they exercise the options on Livers and Burks. Similarly, the Pistons could have as many as five open spots. They are expected to throw their available money at some of the top free agents. A veteran guard and a 3-and-D wing or a two-way forward top their wish list.<\/p>\n Dillon Brooks<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> Cameron Johnson<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> Jerami Grant<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> Grant Williams,<\/strong><\/a> Yuta Watanabe<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> and Torrey Craig<\/strong><\/a> have all been rumored to be potential targets for the Pistons.<\/p>\n Dillon Brooks<\/strong><\/p>\n Brooks<\/a> is expected to have a lot of suitors, with the Pistons being one of them, per Marc Stein of the Stein Line<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Detroit has been mentioned to me more than once as a team to watch in terms of potential suitors for unrestricted free agent-to-be Dillon Brooks.”<\/p>\n Brooks is coming off a down season. He is a solid scorer and a tremendous on-ball defender. However, his antics and ability to consistently knock down threes are a concern.<\/p>\n How much are teams willing to pay for the 27-year-old malcontent? ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne reported on the Network’s Around The Horn that Brooks seeks $25 million annually.<\/p>\n \u201c he shot 31% in the series\u201d — Kobi\ud83e\udd77\ud83c\udfff (@GrzzCmpnyMane) May 2, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nSalary Cap<\/h3>\n
Who Could Return?<\/h3>\n
Who Is Not Likely To Return?<\/h3>\n
Free Agent Possibilities For Detroit Pistons<\/h3>\n
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\u201cDo u wanna pay him 25 million? Cuz that\u2019s what he wants\u201d
THANK U MOMO\ud83e\udee1\u2764\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/49eJFLdq3k<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/2luhw3pJPA<\/a><\/p>\n