Detroit Pistons re-sign Rodney McGruder, creating roster competition

Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Pistons have made one more roster move this offseason, creating a bit of a logjam on the back end of their bench.

The team announced Tuesday it has re-signed guard Rodney McGruder. The 6-foot-4 31-year-old out of Kansas State spent the last two seasons with the Pistons and is well respected within the locker room for his veteran presence.

Last season, McGruder played in 51 games, averaging 5.4 points while shooting 43.6% from the field and 39.7% on 2.9 3-point attempts per game. He was traded away by the Pistons during the season, but after the deal to Denver fell through after Bol Bol failed his physical.

In two seasons with the Pistons, McGruder has averaged 5.4 points in 67 games (four starts) and shot 40.6% from 3.

The Pistons now have 16 players (along with two two-way players) under contract, but are allowed only 15 once the season begins. Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Killian Hayes Cory Joseph and Saben Lee are the guards and Saddiq Bey, Alec Burks, Hamidou Diallo, Isaiah Livers and Kevin Knox are the wings/forwards. Theoretically, McGruder could be battling for a roster spot with the likes of Lee, Diallo and Knox.

Keith Smith of spotrac was first to report the signing on Monday night. The Pistons also made the free-agent acquisition of Knox official on Tuesday.

Contact Kirkland Crawford: kcrawford@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @HiKirkHere.

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