Detroit Pistons Free Agency: Who to walk away from and who to re-sign
By Bob Heyrman
Will Cory Joseph be back with the Detroit Pistons next season?
Cory Joesph will turn 30-years old this August, and his team option worth $12.6 million will surely be declined, although he performed considerably well after joining the Detroit Pistons last season.
The veteran point guard joined Detroit in the deal that sent Delon Wright to Sacramento. The Pistons also landed a second-round pick in 2021 plus an additional 2024 second-round choice. Wright initially seemed like a throw-in to make the money work but performed exceptionally well during his time in Detroit.
Joseph started his career with the Kings after being originally drafted by the Dallas Mavericks before returning to his hometown to play a few seasons with the Toronto Raptors. He also had a stop with the Pacers before returning to the Kings and now the Pistons.
The veteran guard performed so well with his new club that Weaver and Casey were forced to sit Joseph down the stretch to preserve their chances of finishing the season with a bottom three record, which gives the organization the best odds of acquiring the first overall pick in 2021.
Joseph finished the season averaging 8.2 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.5 boards per game between the two clubs last season. With Detroit over an 11-game span, Joseph played over 26 minutes per night, averaging 12 points and 5.5 assists per game. He also proved to be a reliable veteran to help mentor rookie Killian Hayes after returning from a hip injury.
I don’t expect to see Joseph back in a Pistons uniform next season as they will likely decline that $12.6 million option and allocate that money elsewhere.