NBA free agency began on June 30. The Detroit Pistons have been fairly conservative in their dealings so far, re-signing Marvin Bagley III to a three-year, $37.5 million deal and adding Kevin Knox II to a two-year, $6 million deal. year.
Three weeks later, the Pistons have approximately $10 million in cap space remaining. The roster is full, but they can carry up to 20 players in the offseason. They could sign another player to bolster their rotation and make the necessary cuts before opening night, or more likely, maintain flexibility for any trades during the season.
The pool of available unrestricted free agents has shrunk significantly, but here are five tweaks that make sense.
[ Predicting how Pistons’ depth chart and rotation could look in 2022-23 ]
Carmelo Anthony, F, Los Angeles Lakers
2021-22 stats: 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 44.1% overall, 37.5% since 3
The 10-time All-Star’s career found new life after coming to terms with his current role as a sniper role player. Anthony recently turned 38 and next season would be his 20th. But his last three seasons have been among his best as an outside shooter. He shot 37.5 percent last season on nearly six 3-pointers per game. It’s unclear whether Anthony is ready to play for a rebuilding team at the end of his career, but he would fill a need for Detroit.
Fans would definitely love to see Anthony in a Pistons uniform. The franchise using the second overall pick to select Darko Milicic over Anthony in 2003 is one of the biggest “what-ifs” in the NBA. Milicic has never failed, and several former figures in the organization — including Larry Brown and Chauncey Billups — have publicly stated they believe the Pistons would have won multiple championships with Anthony on the roster. Anthony revealed in 2021 that the Pistons promised to draft him.
He also has a relationship with Pistons general manager Troy Weaver, who led Syracuse’s charge to sign Anthony in 2002. They previously reunited in 2017, when the Oklahoma City Thunder traded for Anthony while Weaver was assistant general manager. A second meeting makes sense from Detroit’s perspective, but Anthony might be better served ring-hunting.
[ If Pistons drafted Carmelo Anthony in 2003, what happens to Rasheed Wallace? ]
Wayne Ellington, G, Los Angeles Lakers
2021-22 stats: 6.7 points, 38.9% from 3
Ellington is less than two years away from a prolific season with the Pistons, in which he knocked down 42.2% of his 3-pointers in 2020-21, and is one of the best shooters in league history. franchise. He had two stints with the franchise and twice tied for second place in the franchise record for most 3s made in a single month. He reached 48 in January 2021, matching his 48 in March 2019. He will be 35 next season, but he knows the organization very well and can still shoot.
Jeremy Lamb, G/F, Sacramento Kings
2021-22 stats: 7.3 points, 32.4% from 3
The 2012 lottery pick didn’t shoot well from 3 last season, but has a career mark of 34.2% from the outside and would provide some security for Detroit’s wing rotation. He is a career role player and was retired from his best season for three years, in which he averaged 15.3 points for the Charlotte Hornets while knocking down nearly 35% of his 3. Lamb has turned 30 in May and could still have more productive basketball ahead of him.
Juancho Hernangómez, Fa, Utah Jazz
2021-22 stats: 3.3 points, 34.8% from 3
Hernangómez’s career took off this offseason. His acting career, to be clear. He co-starred as Bo Cruz alongside Adam Sandler in the Netflix drama “Hustle,” released in June. Hernangómez was waived by the Jazz on June 30 but shot nearly 44 percent on 3 on 2.8 attempts per game in 19 games with Utah last season.
Tony Snell, G/F, New Orleans Pelicans
2021-22 stats: 3.5 points, 35.2% from 3
The third former Piston on this list, Snell is a career 39.4 percent outside shooter and would immediately become one of the most reliable ground spacers on the team. He previously played for the Pistons in the 2019-20 season and shot 40.2% on 3 of 4.3 attempts per game.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa. Learn more about the Detroit Pistons and sign up for our Pistons newsletter.
