The Detroit Pistons and Michigan alumnus Zavier Simpson have agreed to a one-year contract, according to a report from Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes.
Simpson joined the Pistons in Las Vegas for Summer League, during which he appeared in four games and averaged 5.3 points and 2.5 assists per game.
Simpson starred for Michigan from 2016-2020, starting his last three seasons and serving as a captain his last two. He helped guide the team to two Sweet 16’s and a national championship appearance, and finished his career as the Wolverines’ all-time winningest player.
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The 6-foot guard went undrafted in 2020, but made his NBA debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 5, 2022 after spending much of the previous two seasons with their G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue. Simpson spent last season with Lakeland Magic — the Orlando Magic’s G League affiliate.
In four games with the Thunder, Simpson averaged 11 points, 7.5 assists and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 36.5% overall. As a senior at Michigan, he averaged 12.9 points, 7.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Including Simpson, the Pistons currently have 18 players under contract — two under the offseason roster limit of 20. Fourteen of the 18 are expected to make next season’s main roster, excluding two-way players Jared Rhoden and Malcolm Cazalon. It’s currently unclear if Simpson will make the main roster, sign a two-way contract or sign with Detroit’s G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa.
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