Draymond Green should be main priority for the Pistons this offseason
May 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates after making a three-point basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) looks on during the first quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
While the Pistons are at home watching the playoffs, the former Michigan State Spartan and current Golden State Warrior Draymond Green is playing the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
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Green, who’s in his third year in the NBA, was reportedly interested in February with signing a contract with the Pistons this off-season. Green will be a restricted free-agent this off-season, making it possible for the Pistons to make a move to sign him.
Growing up in Saginaw, MI and attending Michigan State, the Michigan native would most likely feel comfortable being in his home state. With this, people within the Pistons locker room want Green in Detroit, especially star Andre Drummond who voiced his opinion on Twitter.
Green averaged 11.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.6 SPG and 1.3 BPG during the regular season, and is currently averaging 15.8 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 5.2 APG, 2.4 SPG and one BPG in this years playoffs (stats before Game two against the Grizzlies).
Green’s versatility at guarding any position from small forward to center, decent ability to score and overall great defense that put him in the discussion for the Defensive Player of the Year and finished second in voting behind the Spurs Kawhi Leonard, is what the Pistons need.
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He also is a small forward, which has been a great need of the Pistons for quite some time now. Green versatility would also allow Stan Van Gundy to play him at power forward, when the future power forward of the Pistons (Most likely not Greg Monroe) needs a break.
One problem in acquiring the rising star is the roadblock in Golden State.
Green is a restricted free-agent, which means any team that offers him a contract, Golden State can match that contract. The Golden State front office has also gone on record saying that they’ll match any offer given to Green, which includes a max contract.
This poses the problem whether or not the Pistons should target such a young talent with a max contract, since that’s the most likely way they’re going to get him. The answer: Yes.
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Given that Golden State wouldn’t match the Pistons offer, Green would be a perfect fit in Detroit. The Pistons need a solidified, productive small forward, and Green fits that mold.
The other issue with this is the draft. Unless the Pistons move forward or back during the draft lottery on May 19th, the Pistons will have the 8th pick in this years draft. This years draft has several good first round small forwards ranging from Duke’s Justise Winslow, Arizona’s Stanley Johnson and Wisconsin’s Sam Dekker.
The Pistons could be looking to pick one of these rookies in the draft, instead of jumping on the Draymond Green sweepstakes. Thus, making Green a less lucrative option to the Pistons front office.
Still, trying to sign Green should be the priority of the Pistons this offseason. Green would bring in the productivity and skill at small forward that they’ve lacked for some time.
What do you think about Draymond Green? Should the Pistons try to go after him? Should they lay off and try to get a small forward in this years draft? Share your opinion in the comment section below.