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Detroit Pistons Just Had Their Best Offseason, Since?

By Jon Poole

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 20: Dwane Casey (L) poses with Tom Gores (C) owner of the Detroit Pistons and Ed Stefanski (R) senior adviser at Little Caesars Arena on June 20, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 20: Dwane Casey (L) poses with Tom Gores (C) owner of the Detroit Pistons and Ed Stefanski (R) senior adviser at Little Caesars Arena on June 20, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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2019 has arrived and going into the season I thought their biggest needs were;

  • starting SF/wings (Wayne Ellington is gone via free agency)
  • outside shooting
  • point guard(s)
  • backup center

The Detroit Pistons had picks #15 & #45, no money in cap, mid-level exception, bi-annual exception at their disposal and they worked it.

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They got their starting SF when they traded Jon Leuer and his oversized contract to Milwaukee for Tony Snell and the 30th pick in this years draft (Milwaukee needed salary cap relief next season).

Then they got their SF/PF of the future with the 15th overall pick in Sekou Doumbouya. What I liked about the Sekou pick is that the Pistons showed they’re not making every decision to win now and they have an eye on the future too. Sekou could be a great player, but he is not a win now pick, there’s no guarantee he even plays initially. What he could be is an upgrade over Snell, eventually.

Later on draft night, 2019 Stefanski traded the 30th pick they got from Milwaukee for Leuer to Cleveland for (4) second rounders, then using (2) of those second rounders plus their own 45th to trade up to 37th and drafted Deividas Sirvydis, addressing their shooting and wing needs. The Pistons had a first-round grade on Sirvydis, so they have some expectations, but don’t let these social media wannabe scouts fool you, it’s extremely tough for even pro basketball scouts to project these European kids accurately.

The fourth trade of the offseason sent a 2024 second round pick and cash to Philadelphia for the 57th overall pick where the Detroit Pistons tried to address PG for the first time in drafting Jordan Bone out of Tennessee. Didn’t project as a starter but they liked him enough to trade for him. The Detroit Pistons need to find their post-Reggie starting PG and Bone was a proven winner at Tennessee and one of the most athletic players in the draft, two things you can’t teach. I loved the pick.

Day one of free agency 2019 Pistons signed Derrick Rose to a two-year 15-million dollar contract. The Pistons needed a backup PG badly. I also think the Pistons hope if healthy he can step in and start if no one else is ready when they either trade Reggie or he simply walks next season.

Day two of free agency they still had PG fever signing Tim Frazier to a one-year 1.8 million dollar deal. One of my favorite moves of the offseason for the value. Per 36 minutes Frazier was ninth in the NBA in assists with 8.0. That production would definitely help facilitate a Reggie trade.

Lastly, they got their backup PF in Markieff Morris, signing the other Morris twin to a two year 7.4 million dollar contract.

Next. Derrick Rose Is Not A Big Signing, But Is He A Big Sign?. dark

All in all, I thought Stefanski maneuvered the offseason very well with how little he had to work with. Something previous regimes couldn’t do with much more. For the first time in a long time, Detroit Pistons fans should have some real optimism of about the future going into a season.

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