Detroit Pistons: Potential Free Agent targets to consider signing
By Tejas Bedi
The Detroit Pistons should consider signing Cody Zeller.
If Cody Zeller can stay healthy, he could be one of the better backup centers in the league. He is a below-average athlete but has carved out a solid career by doing the little things. He sets hard screens and is good in the pick and roll, which would allow him to pair nicely with both Killian Hayes and Cade Cunningham.
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Once he has the ball, he is a good finisher at the rim and a smart passer. Defensively, he isn’t a good shot blocker or super switchy, but he is a good rebounder and can use his strength to bother players in the paint. Health permitting, Zeller could be a good pick and roll center to come off the bench who could help the young guards on the offensive end.
The Detroit Pistons should consider signing Khem Birch.
Khem Birch could be an interesting option to bring energy off the bench. Birch is great at knowing his role and not trying to do too much. He doesn’t need the ball on offense and doesn’t score much, but he still finds a way to make a positive impact by passing and screening well.
He also crashes the offensive glass and gets easy buckets off misses. He isn’t a great shot blocker on defense, but he can switch on the perimeter and plays smart, team defense. Birch could provide great energy, offensive rebounding, and switchability as a solid rotational center behind Isiah Stewart.
The Detroit Pistons should not be expected to make a big splash in free agency quite yet; that will likely have to wait until next season, but they still do need to fill some rotation spots. Assuming they are able to resign at least one of Hamidou Diallo and Frack Jackson, they will need to add a third/fourth guard and a backup center.
Next. Evaluating the fit of Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes. dark
Their best move could be adding a cheap veteran who could complement the young players on the court and mentor them off the court, helping them reach their high ceilings.