The Detroit Pistons have yet to make the splashy move the fans have been waiting for, but they have still been one of the most active teams of the offseason. They have been aggressively revamping the roster and trying to add more offensive firepower. At the same time, they are trying to have some continuity following their 60-win season.
With that in mind, they are bringing back veteran forward Javonte Green. ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Friday that the Pistons and Green agreed to a one-year, $3.95 million deal.
Detroit re-signs Javonte Green in Day 4 of free agency
This is a savvy move by GM Trajan Langdon. The 32-year-old forward played in all 82 games for the Pistons last season and was largely in the playoff rotation, averaging 12 minutes in 11 postseason games.
Green did not play a massive role in the Pistons' unexpected success, but he was as reliable as they come. He fit the culture and identity JB Bickerstaff has created in Detroit as a hard-nosed defender. Green can guard multiple positions, is active as a help defender, and provides sufficient physicality and intensity.
He also hits enough threes on the other end of the floor to make himself a capable rotation player. This is how he earned 17.6 minutes per game last season, averaging 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game on 38.1 shooting from downtown.
On a team with championship aspirations, Green is probably not a regular rotation player. He is a little too limited offensively. On a small one-year contract, however, the Pistons could do much worse than Green.
He will likely be the 11th or 12th man in the rotation next season, but is certainly overqualified for that role. In case of injuries and unavailability, the Pistons will feel good about putting Green out there.
Green joins a crowded wing rotation in Detroit. Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, and John Collins are the projected starters right now. If Robinson leaves, Isaiah Joe should slide into the starting lineup. Ron Holland and Kevin Huerter are also expected to be in the rotation. The Pistons will likely add even more quality and depth on the perimeter before the summer is over.
So, Green may end up being more marginalized compared to last season. But after the departure of Tobias Harris, Green will be one of the most experienced players on the team. He will be one of the locker room leaders.
The front office in Detroit has not impressed the Pistons fanbase so far in the offseason, but very few fans will have a problem with this deal. Let's see what else Langdon has up his sleeve.
Add us as a preferred source on Google