Detroit Pistons Sign Free-Agents Aaron Gray and Cartier Martin
Feb 26, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; (EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Atlanta Hawks small forward Cartier Martin (20) warms up before the start of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Pistons officially signed free agents Aaron Gray and Cartier Martin on Monday afternoon. The signings were originally announced in mid-July when the Pistons signed guard, Jodie Meeks — per MLive.com.
In addition to Meeks, Gray, and Martin, the Pistons also signed Caron Butler and D.J. Augustin in July, giving Detroit five new shooters on the roster for 2014-15.
"“You can never have too many shooters,” Meeks said. “So myself, Caldwell-Pope, all those guys can shoot, D.J. Augustin, Cartier Martin. So all of us can shoot and it will open things up for our big men. At the same time, they’ll help us out by getting us open. Shooting is at a premium in the NBA sometimes, so the more you have of it, the better.”"
All the added shooting has met a principal objective of Stan Van Gundy, the Pistons’ president of basketball operations and head coach.
"“I think that we’re going to be a much, much different team in terms of our ability to spread the floor next year,” Van Gundy said."
Aaron Gray – Center
29-years-old
Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
7-foot, 270-pounds
selected by Chicago in the second round (49th overall) of the 2007 NBA draft out of Pittsburgh
Gray signed a one-year deal worth $1.27 million with a player option for a second season. In seven NBA seasons, he has played for Chicago, New Orleans, Toronto and Sacramento.
In 318 career games, Gray has averaged 3.4 points and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 50.9 percent.
He split last season between Toronto and Sacramento, averaging 1.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in 37 games.
Cartier Martin – Forward
- 29-years-old
- 6-foot-7
- undrafted in 2007 out of Kansas State
- also played professionally in Italy, Turkey and China as well as the NBA D-League (all-star 2009)
Martin signed a two-year deal worth $2.4 million.
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During six NBA seasons, he has played for Charlotte, Golden State, Washington, Atlanta and Chicago.
In 220 career games, Martin has averaged 5.4 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 38.3 percent on 3-pointers.
He split last season between Atlanta and Chicago, averaging 5.6 points and 1.9 rebounds while making 39 percent of his 3-pointers.
Collectively, the Pistons are hoping he can help provide them with the type of outside shooting they’ve been lacking the last several seasons.