The Pistons could also be in the mix for two restricted free agents - Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams and Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson. That’s not the direction I would go in (for the Pistons).” He can fit into whatever you need him to morph him into. “It came back up because there weren’t so many off-the-dribble, contested jumpers that he was having to create late in the clock. “What we saw with Jerami Grant in Portland was the return of his efficiency,” Smith said. Pistons guard Cory Joseph defends against Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant during the first half on Monday, March 6, 2023, at Little Caesars Arena. Smith doesn’t see Detroit as a likely landing spot, though. Grant, 29, could return to Portland, or, go elsewhere. He’s entering unrestricted free agency after completing the three-year, $60 million contract he signed in 2020 with the Pistons. He thrived as a complementary option alongside Damian Lillard, after carrying a heavy offensive load in Detroit. He’s coming off a career-best offensive season, averaging 20.5 points on 47.5% overall shooting and a career-high 40.1% from 3. Jerami Grant, who played for the Pistons for two seasons before being traded to Portland last June, might top the list. The 2023 free agency class is light on superstar talent, but there are several players who would address the Pistons' 3-and-D needs. There’s a lot of flexibility and it’s never a bad thing to have that flexibility, as long as you can use it in a good way.” Several free agency targets to watch You could move on from somebody there, especially if we don’t know where Isaiah Stewart is going but we don’t feel great about extending him, maybe you can move on from him while he’s still a positive-value player before he’s on his next contract. “You’ve got some positional surplus at the big spots. If they did decide, 'Hey, we didn’t trade them at the deadline but there’s a move that’s too good to pass up now,' they can go. “They’re in a spot where you can use that $30 million in space to do some stuff and have a couple of veterans in Bogdanovic and Burks that will have trade value this summer. “The Pistons are also in a spot where it’s not like they’re trying to fill out 12 roster spots,” Smith said. the Orlando Magic during the second half of the season opener at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Oct. Smith noted the Pistons could include one of their four bigs - Stewart, Wiseman, Marvin Bagley III or Jalen Duren - in a deal since it’s a position of strength.ĭetroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey, center Isaiah Stewart and guard Cade Cunningham celebrate a basket vs. The Pistons opted to keep both players through the February trade deadline, but teams will call about their availability this summer. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Pistons extend Burks' contract this summer, but his expiring contract could also be used to sweeten a trade, after he shot 41.4% from 3 last season.īIG DEAL: 3 trades Pistons could make with No. The Pistons have two sweet-shooting veterans who should hold appeal around the NBA.īogdanovic, fresh off one of his best offensive seasons, signed a two-year, $39.1 million contract extension in October that’s guaranteed for just $2 million in 2024-25. Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks hold trade appeal Listen to "The Pistons Pulse" for his full thoughts, which include draft talk, and how the team will be affected by the new collective bargaining agreement. Here’s some of what he had to say on the Free Press' podcast. Smith, who also hosts the Front Office Show podcast, views the Pistons as one of seven teams this season who will have financial flexibility and can be a big player in both the free agency and trade markets.
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