The Detroit Pistons free agency started slowly, but they added Tobias Harris on a two-year $52 million deal. Harris immediately provides veteran leadership and outside shooting. Trajan Langdon's approach has shown discipline and something the Pistons haven't had for a while: a plan.
DON'T OVERPAY
Many fans wanted the Pistons to get one of the marquee role players in free agency. While Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Isaiah Hartenstein are excellent role players, they do not fit the Pistons situation. Their contracts and fit on the team would be massive missteps. Both Harris and Tim Hardaway JR. (the two veterans Langdon has added so far) come on 2-year and 1-year deals, respectively. They eat a chunk of the cap this season, but the good news is, unlike in the past, the Pistons will have the cap space back shortly without giving up assets to regain it. Time and time again, the Pistons have either done nothing in free agency or overpaid on lengthy, hard-to-move contracts. Langdon has shown both discipline and competence in these additions. The team needed some veterans who could contribute. Mission accomplished. He didn't overspend like in the past, either. Win-win.
Give the Young Players a Chance to Succeed
The Pistons young talent has been thrown to the wolves in the past few seasons. They haven't had much in the way of a reliable anchor to help them navigate the challenging situations that come with the NBA game. Bojan Bogdanovic has been the most help they've had. During his absence this past season, the young Pistons struggled. In the future, the Pistons can (and should) mix and match the youth and the vets. Playing Hardaway JR. alongside Jaden Ivey or Harris with Jalen Duren will facilitate player growth. Cade Cunningham benefits from the additional shooting.
Hire a Competitive Coach Who Fits the Situation
The Pistons last two coaches did not succeed in Detroit; however, they weren't ideal for the team's situation. Both Dwane Casey and Monty Williams were at points in their careers when they wanted to coach a contender, not develop one. J.B. Bickerstaff just did that in Cleveland. Bickerstaff has experience coaching a young team and developing talent. His teams in Cleveland also played strong defense and rebounded the ball well. Many fans have blamed the Pistons woes on a lack of scoring. While offensive efficiency is among the Pistons problems (a team with 14 wins is bound to have many), it isn't their most pressing.
The Pistons lack of defense and sloppy play need to be addressed first. The four biggest tenets of winning are defense, rebounding, ball control (not turning it over), and making free throws. Many argue that shooting is the most important. Shooting puts teams over the top. Teams that turn the ball over, don't play defense, don't rebound, and miss free throws aren't getting the chance to close out games with good offensive play. They are losing by 20, 30, 40 points like the Pistons did so often this past season. Bickerstaff is the coach with the mentality and experience to address these problems.
What's Next?
The Detroit Pistons don't need any more wings. Between playing veterans Harris, Hardaway JR. Simone Fontecchio (if he agrees to return) and the need for minutes to develop and evaluate Ivey, Ausar Thompson, and Ron Holland III, the Pistons ought to stay out of that market.
The biggest needs now are a veteran point guard and center. Jonas Valuncunias looked like the perfect candidate but signed with the Washington Wizards. The Pistons may look to add a center through the trade market. As for a point guard, I think it would be good for the Pistons to add a scrappy veteran to compete for the backup spot with Marcus Sasser.
Isaiah Stewart, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, and Ron Holland will all compete with veterans for playing time. The Pistons should create competition for Duren and Sasser as well.
Mixing veterans on reasonable contracts while keeping playing time open for the team's younger players will give the Pistons a more competitive team this season. No. They are not a playoff team and have a way to go before sniffing the postseason, but they are finally striking a balance that can move the team forward. Langdon isn't transforming the team into a winner overnight, but at least the treading water phase is over.
Possible Rotation:
5:Jalen Duren/ Isaiah Stewart
4:Tobias Harris/ Simone Fontecchio/ Bobi Klintman
3:Tim Hardaway JR./ Ausar Thompson
2:Jaden Ivey/ Ron Holland III / Wendell Moore JR.
1:Cade Cunnigham/ Marcus Sasser
2-Way Contracts: PG. Daniss Jenkins
This provides a general idea of the roster as of posting. Further trades and additions are possible. The two-way contracts could change throughout the summer as well. Summer League will provide clarity on how the Pistons intend to use those spots next season.
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