Top 5 Players The Detroit Pistons Should Target In Free Agency
By Dan Jenkins
@DanTJenkins
One of the most exciting times of yearly NBA cycle is almost upon us -- free agency. Starting July 1, teams can begin courting players to join their squads before they can officially be signed on July 9.
Detroit Pistons president and head coach Stan Van Gundy said at a press conference on Monday that the team will be looking to fill two specific positions using free agency and the Draft -- small forward and center.
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Currently, the team only has one small forward and one center under contract -- Cartier Martin and Andre Drummond, respectively. Drummond is obviously a building block for the Pistons, but Martin is not an NBA-caliber starting forward. He played only 198 minutes in 23 games this past season.
The team traded forward Caron Butler to land Ersan Ilyasova from the Milwaukee Bucks and veteran Tayshaun Price is expected to leave to sign with a contender. That leaves the Pistons with a glaring hole at small forward.
Fans would obviously love for the Pistons to go after some big names -- i.e. Paul Millsap, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Love or Draymond Green -- but that's unlikely. The team would like to sign two players -- one quality starter -- and only have around $18 million to do so.
Here's a list of five players that Van Gundy and the Pistons could realistically go after in free agency this summer:
5. Dorell Wright, Small Forward
Dorell Wright missed some time with the Portland Trailblazers toward the end of last season due to a hand injury, but the 10-year veteran should still get a good look from teams in free agency. The 6-foot-9 small forward has shot 36.5 percent from behind the 3-point arc throughout his career.
Wright would likely fill a reserve role with Detroit, having been primarily a bench player for the past three seasons. Wright is an above-average defender who can often times play a stretch-4 position, something that would fit well in Van Gundy's system. His only downside is his 3-point shot can be streaky and he often times relies on long-range shots too much.
4. Brandon Wright, Center
Brandon Wright was one of the best backup centers in the league last season, even while playing for three different teams. Wright is a finisher at the rim, specifically out of the pick-and-roll, while also providing solid defense.
Wright was traded twice in 20 days last season, as he had a valuable expiring contract. He would obviously be a backup to Drummond, but there wouldn't be much of a drop-off on offense when he comes into the game. His stats don't jump out at you, but Wright is one of the most reliable substitutes in the NBA.
3. Marco Belinelli, Small Forward
Looking to add 3-point shooting? It doesn't get much better than Marco Belinelli. The 29-year-old Italian has spent the past two seasons as the San Antonio Spurs' outside specialist. He's a career 39.2 percent 3-point shooter.
Detroit -- along with other teams -- is trying to emulate what the Spurs have done so well for more than a decade -- move the ball and shoot well. Though not a strong defender, Belinelli could start or come off the bench for the Pistons while providing lights-out shooting from the outside. Some think that San Antonio won't have enough money to re-sign him after likely giving Kawhi Leonard a max contract.
2. Ed Davis, Power Forward/Center
Ed Davis was one of the better backup centers in the NBA last season, even though it was for the putrid Los Angeles Lakers. He played a career-high 79 games while averaging 8.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. At only 26 years old, Davis will likely get a decently sized contract for a backup. One report this week said that he would like to stay with the Lakers for a contract between $7 and $10 million a year.
Davis would be great off the bench in Detroit. He could give the Pistons solid minutes if Drummond is having an off night, while providing energy and rebounding as a normal rotation player. Swaying him away from the Lakers may prove tricky, however.
1. DeMarre Carroll, Small Forward
While not necessarily being in the top-tier of free agents, DeMarre Carroll is still set to earn a big paycheck for what he did for the Atlanta Hawks this past season. Carroll brings an energy to the small forward position that the Pistons haven't seen in years. While being able to finish at the rim, Carroll has also developed a reliable 3-point shot, hitting on 39.5 percent last season.
Because of his breakout season, the Hawks may have to choose between signing Carroll or Paul Millsap. Carroll would be a day one starter for the Pistons, while providing shooting, athleticism and aggressive defense at the position they need it most. It may come at a higher price, but Carroll is a player that may look like a bargain once the salary cap jumps in the coming years.
Who do you think should be at the top of the Pistons' free agency list? Let us know in the poll below.