The Detroit Pistons are in roster assessment mode with the NBA draft in the rearview.
They’re stocked with young talent at all the three core positions of the modern NBA — point guard, wing and big. The next step is adding additional talent that will address the handful of areas the team is currently deficient in, and give Monty Williams the tools necessary to turn the dial from “rebuild” to “compete.”
Last week’s draft, which brought in Overtime Elite wing Ausar Thompson and Houston point guard Marcus Sasser, presented more questions about the Pistons’ depth chart for next season. However, the moves also narrow the team’s focus as they navigate free agency and the trade market over the next two weeks.
The Pistons will have $30 million in cap space to play with when free agency begins at 6 p.m. Friday. Here’s how the depth chart could shake out on opening night — not accounting for any roster additions made in July — and which needs they should take care of as they look to fill three open roster spots.
Projected depth chart
PG: Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Marcus Sasser
SG: Jaden Ivey, Alec Burks
SF: Bojan Bogdanovic, Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Livers
PF: Isaiah Stewart, Marvin Bagley III
C: Jalen Duren, James Wiseman
Predicting the rotation requires a lot of guesswork. Williams is bringing in a different coaching philosophy and facing different expectations compared to Dwane Casey, and there’s much to learn on how he values specific players and fits.
For example: Will the two-big experiment that the Pistons prioritized last season continue? Isaiah Stewart is the only Pistons big man to show he can make 3s. And that’s still a work in progress, as he cooled off after a hot start and finished the season at a 32.7% clip.
Troy Weaver made it clear that he wants the Pistons to be able to match up against the NBA’s elite centers, such as Nikola Jokic. But neither the Denver Nuggets or Miami Heat leaned on two-big lineups in the Finals, and Williams favored lineups with four shooters on the floor with the Phoenix Suns.
It’s also possible that the Pistons will acquire a big wing who can provide spacing at power forward — perhaps Brooklyn Nets restricted free agent Cameron Johnson, who is well-acquainted with Williams due to their shared time in Phoenix. Among the current frontcourt players, Stewart and Duren are the most capable defenders. As far as fit, a Stewart-Duren frontcourt appears to be the most tenable.
It seems safe to say that Cunningham and Ivey will start at guard, but a big decision will be made at small forward. Bogdanovic is coming off of a strong season, and is the most proven and efficient shooter and scorer on the roster. He’s a more natural fit at the 3 than 4, and his presence on the roster opens the possibility that Ausar Thompson will be Detroit’s first top-seven pick of the Troy Weaver era to begin their rookie season coming off of the bench.
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Hayes is entering his fourth year, and a “prove it” situation as he approaches restricted free agency next summer. His third season was up-and-down — a hot offensive stretch teased the upside that led to him being the seventh pick of the 2020 draft, but he finished the season 37.7% overall and 28% from 3, right in line with his career averages.
Sasser’s addition threatens to eat into Hayes’ minutes, as the four-year Houston product was high on both Weaver and Williams’ draft wish list due to his defense and shot-making ability. Because Ivey is also best with the ball in his hands, we’ll see if there’s enough room in the rotation for four on-ball guards on rookie contracts. Perhaps Sasser isn’t rotation-ready quite yet.
There are two clear needs they should address — a power forward who can shoot and defend, and a veteran point guard who can add some stability to their backcourt.
A versatile power forward
Stewart made positive strides during his first full season playing the four, but the Pistons need more help in the area. Bogdanovic and Livers also spent significant time at power forward, giving the frontcourt needed spacing. In a balanced rotation, they’re more natural fits at small forward due to their size.
Bringing in a big forward with a wing skillset would take pressure off of Detroit’s other forwards and bigs, on both ends of the floor. It would allow Stewart to shift between the four and five in smaller lineups, and allow Bagley to thrive near the rim — where he’s best — rather than dabble with 3-pointers as he did toward the end of last season, playing alongside Duren or Wiseman.
Weaver already pinpointed Detroit’s need for a 3-and-D forward, as Livers is the lone player on the roster who naturally occupies that role. But who will that player will be?
Three free agency options: Cameron Johnson, Harrison Barnes, Torrey Craig.
A veteran point guard
The Pistons should be well-covered at point guard. But the group lacks experience, and adding a steadying presence would be beneficial.
After his introductory news conference, Williams told the Free Press that Ricky Rubio was a big reason why the Phoenix Suns improved from 19 to 34 wins during his first season as head coach.
“I thought the Ricky Rubio signing was huge,” Williams said. “You look back at it, getting Ricky at the time we got him, that allowed for Book to have a veteran point guard that knew what he was doing in the backcourt. Really helped us.”
Even if there aren’t many minutes available for a veteran point guard next season, having an additional voice in the locker room is still worthwhile. Williams appears to be aligned with the Pistons’ front office, which appreciated having Cory Joseph during the last 2.5 seasons. With Joseph entering unrestricted free agency, the Pistons may have to look elsewhere.
Three free agency options: Ish Smith, Patrick Beverley, Derrick Rose.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa.
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