Detroit Pistons Lose Out On First Priority in Free Agency
By Zac Snyder
Only one player can received the distinction of being the first free agency call a a team makes, and for the Detroit Pistons, that distinction reportedly goes to small forward Danny Green.
From Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:
"The Pistons contacted San Antonio Spurs free agent small forward Danny Green shortly after the NBA’s free agency moratorium began at 12:01 a.m., a person with firsthand knowledge of the call but not authorized to speak publicly told the Free Press."
Green is a perfect fit for Stan Van Gundy and the Pistons as he has developed into one of the league’s best three point shooters, hitting at a career rate of 42.0%.
Unfortunately, Green has decided to stay with the San Antonio Spurs according to ESPN’s Chris Broussard.
Sources: Danny Green has agreed to a 4 year, $45 million deal with the Spurs
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 1, 2015
Even with the selection of Stanley Johnson in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft, the Pistons still have work to do at small forward where they have to re-build their entire depth chart at the position. An established vet like Green would give Johnson some time to develop, and would also give the Pistons some flexibility to play Johnson and Green together by sliding Green to shooting guard. With Green no longer an option, the Pistons will turn their attention elsewhere.
Ellis reported last weekend that Green and DeMarre Carroll would be the Pistons’ top priorities in free agency so it comes as no surprise that they reached out to Green so quickly.
MLive’s David Mayo reports that the Pistons have meetings set up with three free agents – one of whom is their own restricted free agent, Reggie Jackson. Green is also named as one of the three but Van Gundy is apparently keeping tight-lipped about the third.
"The Detroit Pistons have three meetings with free-agent players set this week, beginning today, though Stan Van Gundy declined to identify the third player, saying even his coaches and staff don’t know."
Could Van Gundy be making a run at a surprise player? It’s an intriguing angle to follow as NBA free agency unfolds over the next couple weeks. Teams and players can talk as of midnight July 1, but deals can’t become official until July 9. That leaves plenty of time for some interesting twists and turns.