The Detroit Pistons began the 2025-26 season with an open roster spot. Many wondered whether the team was keeping that spot for Malik Beasley's return once he is cleared from his ongoing federal investigation. It turns out that is not the case, as ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Thursday that the Pistons were claiming center Isaac Jones off waivers.
Whether this means anything for Beasley's future in the NBA is currently unclear, but his dreams of returning to Detroit are now likely over.
Pistons' Isaac Jones Signing Is a Questionable One
This is a questionable and surprising addition for the Pistons for several reasons. Jones is a traditional, bruiser type of big man. Detroit already has Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, and Paul Reed on its roster. JB Bickerstaff already struggles to find enough minutes for Reed. It's hard to imagine there will be a role for Jones other than in emergency situations.
Maybe that is fine for the 15th player on your roster. However, the Pistons could have used that spot on a player who fills a need. The Pistons desperately need more shooting and offense. It behooves them to improve their spacing around Cade Cunningham to help juice their offense. Jones doesn't do any of that.
If Beasley was never going to be an option, the Pistons should have prioritized finding a facsimile. A three-point shooter that Bickerstaff can rely on when the offense needs a boost would have added more flexibility to the roster.
The fact that the Pistons immediately claimed Jones off waivers, only two days after his release by the Sacramento Kings, suggests that they must have had their eyes on him. Perhaps they believe they can unlock more from the formerly undrafted 25-year-old. Another possibility is that they think they can increase his trade value and then flip him at the deadline.
It could also mean that the Pistons are planning on playing two-big lineups more often. The lineups with both Stewart and Duren have been working very well for the Pistons. Stewart has moved to the starting lineup during Tobias Harris' absence. If Bickerstaff wants to make the Stewart-Duren pairing a more permanent one, then having a fourth big man on the roster who can do similar things to Stewart and Reed could make some sense.
Jones could be a surprise contributor, and the Pistons may have found a hidden gem. Even if that's the case, however, the Pistons would have been better off targeting a shooter. Let's hope this doesn't come back to bite them.