| The Detroit News
For the first time in a long time, the Pistons can be major players in free agency. With a projected $30 million in cap space, they can pursue a top-tier target in hopes of improving their roster for next season.
Not that they should, but they could.
The problem is that this isn’t a stocked class of free agents, at least not as deep and talented as next year’s projects to be. The Pistons could — if general manager Troy Weaver chooses to try to retool the roster on the fly rather than a more comprehensive rebuild — expedite the process with a big-name player such as Fred VanVleet.
Anthony Davis, the biggest name in this class, appears to be heading back to the Los Angeles Lakers, so the next-best options appear to be VanVleet and Brandon Ingram.
And Christian Wood.
Yes, re-signing Wood should be at the top of the Pistons’ priority list, even though his value on the free-agent market continues to increase.
Wood isn’t the only one of their own free agents the Pistons should look to bring back on a new contract. They can shape the roster with some of the current veterans and augment with some of their younger players.
Here’s a look at some of the targets the Pistons should consider in free agency, which tentatively is slated to begin in December.
Home shopping
Christian Wood, F: After an impressive end to the season, Wood has catapulted himself into free agency as one of the top targets — and his next contract will be worth a lot more than the minimum of $1.6 million he got last season. Some projections have the market for Wood, who is unrestricted, to be at about $9.3 million, which is the midlevel exception, although it could easily be higher. The Pistons could use Wood’s Early-Bird rights and go above the cap to re-sign him, but how much they’d choose to pay is a legitimate question. This will be a critical signing to watch.
Langston Galloway, G: As an unrestricted free agent, he could find another deal somewhere in the neighborhood of the $7.3 million he earned last season. Teams always can find a spot for a veteran leader who hit 40 percent on 3-pointers. Galloway is a favorite in the locker room and depending on the other offers he receives, the Pistons will be best served to bring Galloway back.
Thon Maker, F/C: Maker’s production was up-and-down last season and although he’s 7-foot-1, he plays more on the perimeter than in the paint. Defensively, he needs to be more of a presence, and he’ll need to put on more muscle and learn to use it better to find more minutes on the floor. Maker is a restricted free agent and even though he made $3.6 million last season, he and the Pistons might be more inclined to agree on a more cap-friendly figure.
Svi Mykhailiuk, F: The young wing is gradually improving and has a team option at $1.7 million, which almost certainly will be picked up. After shooting 41 percent on 3-pointers last season, he solidified himself in the short-term future, at least.
Tony Snell, F: The Pistons took on Snell’s contract last season after trading Jon Leuer to the Bucks. The assumption always was that Snell would use his player option for $12.2 million and in an uncertain fiscal future, now it’s as certain as anything. He fills a role in the starting lineup, and it’s not a terrible price for a starter.
The big market
Fred VanVleet, Raptors, G: There’s a definite need for a starting point guard and there’s been increasing talk that VanVleet, who had a connection with coach Dwane Casey during their time in Toronto, would be an ideal fit with the Pistons. Signing VanVleet for about $20 million of the available space would be a bold statement that the Pistons are serious about a quick retooling, but would that make them a consistent playoff contender? If Weaver and the staff want to be patient, VanVleet may not be the choice for this rebuild.
Aron Baynes, Suns, C: With the lack of big-body centers on the roster, the Pistons could seek a reunion with Baynes, who posted career highs with 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds last season — for a bargain salary of $5.4 million. Justin Patton and Maker can’t be the only options in the middle, so they’ll likely add at least one center in free agency. Baynes has the inside-outside versatility, toughness and professionalism that would fit nicely in the rebuild.
Montrezl Harrell, Clippers, F/C: It’s possible that Harrell will want another run at a title with the Clippers. He made $6 million last year and as an unrestricted free agent, he could command more from a team that is buying into the small-ball center. He’s undersized at 6-foot-7 and doesn’t have good 3-point range, but he’s a tough rebounder, defender and inside presence.
Harry Giles, Kings, F: At 6-foot-11, he can be a physical presence; with 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds last season, he could boost those numbers with more playing time in a starting role. He hasn’t shown enough to warrant a bigger contract than his $2.6 million last season, so if the Pistons miss some of their other options, Giles could be worth the gamble.
Willie Cauley-Stein, Mavericks, C: The 7-footer has bounced around from the Kings to the Warriors and then the Mavericks. He played just 13 games last season but had better seasons, including 12.8 points and 7 rebounds in 2018. He’s on a player option for $2.3 million, which he’s likely to decline to get on the open market.
Nerlens Noel, Thunder, F/C: He’s invigorated his career as a versatile big man who excels on the defensive end. He posted 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds last season and much like the other options, he can fit the bill at a relatively inexpensive cost ($2 million last season). The Pistons could be lucky in that there are several options in the second tier of big men in free agency this year.
Rod.Beard@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @detnewsRodBeard