Detroit — With a new coach in place and two new rookies officially with the team, the Detroit Pistons are on the cusp of another pivotal moment of the offseason — the start of free agency.
The Pistons are expected to be one of the major players when free agency opens officially opens Friday at 6 p.m., as they strive to improve a roster that finished with the worst record in the league last season.
According to Spoctrac, the Pistons are projected to have about $27.8 million in practical cap space after player and team options for Alec Burks, Isaiah Livers and Eugene Omoruyi were exercised earlier this week.
General manager Troy Weaver spoke to reporters on Friday after the team’s introductory media availability for first-round picks Ausar Thompson and Marcus Sasser, and he was adamant that he would be careful to avoid adding a free agent that would disrupt the growth of his young core.
“I really want to see coach (Monty Williams) coach this team and get a feel for these guys,” Weaver said. “How we fill out the rest of (the roster) in free agency and whatnot is not pressing right now because I think you can add and subtract from some of these young guys growing into becoming who they are. We’re going to be careful with that before we bring in guys that can kind of deter us from finding out who these guys are.”
The Pistons don’t want to impede the progress of the likes of Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, and veteran players such as Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic were examples Weaver used to show the type of players the team wants to complement their rising stars.
So what will the Pistons do? With a need at the forward position, here is a short list of candidates who could qualify as options to help Detroit avoid the lottery next season.
Jerami Grant, 29, Portland (unrestricted)
Fit: Grant was the last major free-agent addition for the Pistons, when he signed with the team in 2020 and became the team’s No. 1 option until the arrival of Cade Cunningham. While the fit wasn’t ideal then, Grant’s place with the Pistons, as constructed, would be a more ideal scenario for Detroit because there are more playmakers and offense on the current roster.
Grant’s debut season with the Trail Blazers resulted in career efficiency rates for the veteran forward. He averaged 20.5 points (second-most in his career) while shooting 40% from the 3-point line for the first time in his nine seasons. Grant’s defensive skillset would be a primary benefit for Detroit, since it didn’t possess a dominant go-to defender last season. Grant’s presence would also take pressure away from Bogdanovic and Thompson, as he navigates NBA defensive schemes for the first time.
Likelihood: A reunion with Grant solely depends on which direction the Blazers decide in regards to a rebuild, or continuing down the path of building a contender around Damian Lillard. Blazers GM Joe Cronin released a statement referencing a meeting and commitment to building a winner with the seven-time All-Star. If that’s the case, the Blazers are likely to re-sign Grant and add another veteran via trade to complement Portland’s young core.
Salary last season: $20,955,000
Draymond Green, 33, Golden State (unrestricted)
Fit: Weaver wants his young club to become more disciplined, especially on the defensive end, and Green’s track record with the Warriors accentuates the defensive side of the ball. A marriage between the Pistons and Green would mark an interesting homecoming for the Saginaw native and former Michigan State forward. Defensively, his fit makes sense because he can guard nearly every position on the floor. However, his fit on the offensive end would be questionable, since he struggles to shoot from the perimeter. He also needs the ball in his hands in order to showcase one of his best skills, which is the role of facilitator. He developed chemistry with Stephen Curry, but it’s unclear if his offensive skillset will mesh with Cunningham and Ivey.
Likelihood: After declining his $27.5 million player option to remain with the Golden State Warriors, Green is an unrestricted free agent and could face the possibility of leaving the franchise he helped win four championships. Joining Detroit’s young roster would make for a homecoming story, but remaining a Warrior for the remainder of his career could also be in play for Green, and several reports suggest he will sign a multi-year deal to remain with Curry, Klay Thompson and newly acquired guard Chris Paul.
Salary last season: $25,806,468
Cameron Johnson, 27, Brooklyn Nets (restricted)
Fit: Johnson is the crown jewel of this year’s free-agency class among the forward position, but there’s one hiccup that stands in the way of most teams’ pursuit. He’s a restricted free agent, and the Nets can match any offer that is thrown Johnson’s way — and they are expected to do just that. Johnson ideally fits everything the Pistons look for in a 3-and-D wing. He’ll be able to play alongside Cunningham and Ivey without interfering with their growth due to his ability to play off the ball. On defense, he would pose a perimeter threat, while Stewart and Duren man the inside of the paint. He averaged 15.5 points and 4.4 rebounds for the Phoenix Suns and Nets last season, while shooting 40% from the 3-point line. He only managed to play in 42 games, but he received an increased role with the Nets once he was traded from Phoenix in the deal to acquire Kevin Durant. How about a bonus — Johnson played under Williams during his time in Phoenix, which would bode well for a partnership in Detroit.
Likelihood: If Detroit, or any other team, offers Johnson a max contract, the Nets will receive 48 hours to decide if they will match or not. Brooklyn extended a qualifying offer to Johnson, so it’s apparent that the organization values his skill set. If Weaver can manage to land Johnson, the Pistons’ offseason would be deemed a success after securing Williams as coach and a pair of promising first-round additions.
Salary last season: $5,887,899
Max Strus, 27, Miami (unrestricted)
Fit: Fresh off his first NBA Finals appearance, Strus could be a viable option for the Pistons. The fourth-year forward played 80 games this season while averaging 11.5 points and 3.2 rebounds for the Miami Heat. His shooting prowess is his best strength, as he averaged 35% from the 3-point line last season and 41% during the 2021-22 campaign. Strus would benefit as a catch-and-shoot perimeter player next to Cunningham, Ivey and the rest of Detroit’s playmakers.
Likelihood: Strus will have several suitors and the Pistons could be one of them. He could sign for the mid-level exception, which projects to be $12.4 million in the new collective bargaining agreement. Strus’ likelihood of earning that kind of payday with the Heat doesn’t appear possible due to the luxury tax, but he could become a crucial part of another team’s plans. The Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers have all been linked to Strus as the negotiation process nears.
Salary last season: $1,815,677
Dillon Brooks, 27, Memphis, (unrestricted)
Fit: Brooks is an intriguing free agent, considering he’s one of the best defensive players in the NBA. He averaged 14.3 points and 3.3 rebounds last season for the Grizzlies, but what’s most impressive is the fact that his durability allowed him to play in 72 games. While Brooks, who made last season’s NBA’s all-defensive second team, could help the Pistons as another wing who can defend, his fit from a character standpoint may not align with the personalities of what Weaver envisions for his young nucleus. Brooks made several headlines during the Grizzlies’ first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers with his postgame comments, referring to LeBron James as “old.”
Likelihood: The likelihood of this pairing is low, especially since recent reports suggest that the Houston Rockets are interested in adding Brooks to their young core once free agency begins. Marc Stein suggests that Brooks could secure a two-year contract worth $14-16 million.
Salary last season: $11,400,000
mcurtis@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @MikeACurtis2