Detroit Pistons: Players to Target in Free Agency
By Zac Snyder
Shane Larkin
He’s not a name frequenting top free agent lists around the internet but Shane Larkin is an intriguing option if the Pistons opt for the young, long-cost route. He made $1.5 million last season and became a free agent by declining his $1.5 million player option for next season.
Larkin was originally a first round pick of the Atlanta Hawks but was sent to the Dallas Mavericks on the night of the 2012 NBA Draft. After a year in Dallas in which he bounced between the NBA and NBDL, he was traded to the New York Knicks then signed with the Brooklyn Nets
After bouncing around, Larkin is just looking for a place to call home, and if the Pistons have interest, they seem like a team that checks all the boxes:
"I’m not a guy who wants to play a 10-year career with eight different teams; I want to find a home and really lock in with a team where I know what the coach wants, what my teammates want and we can just all grow together."
No one playing for Stan Van Gundy should have any difficulty knowing where he stands and what is expected of him and the Pistons young core certainly offers an opportunity to grow together as the team looks to improve on their playoff appearance as an eighth seed. Larkin has also said he doesn’t care if he’s starting or coming off the bench.
"Whether I’m a starter or whatever, it’s cool either way. I just want to find a situation where a team wants to see me grow with them and not just [have me as] a fill-in. That’s the kind of situation I’d be looking for."
It remains to be see if the Pistons have interest but Larkin won’t break the bank, even in an offseason where funny money is expected to being flying. He’s young but has NBA experience, offering upside that other players the Pistons might look at to fill their backup point guard spot do not.
Next: Bring back Tolliver and/or Blake