The Detroit Pistons had to make significant changes to their roster this offseason, mostly due to unforeseeable circumstances. Despite their desire to retain both Malik Beasley and Dennis Schröder, a gambling investigation into the former and a massive overpay by the Kings for the latter changed Detroit's plans. They rebounded by adding Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson, but they still need more reinforcements if they are to take another step forward next season.
The most obvious need for the Pistons is more shooting. Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. were two of the best shooters in Detroit last year. Now, they are gone. Robinson is a very good shooter, but he is currently the only elite marksman in the rotation. That is why it behooves the Pistons to sign another sharpshooter for whom head coach J.B. Bickerstaff can run plays.
Pistons Must Find More Shooting Among Remaining Free Agents
Enter Garrison Mathews. The 28-year-old remains unsigned in free agency after spending the last 2.5 seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. During his 122-game tenure in Atlanta, Mathews made 41.3% of his threes on 3.6 attempts in 15.6 minutes per game. That volume and accuracy combination would immediately make him the best shooter in Detroit.
why pay 16 million for Duncan Robinson when you could have Garrison Mathews for free pic.twitter.com/PVS5fScvTL
— Owen Phillips (@owenlhjphillips) July 23, 2025
Jaden Ivey's return and Ausar Thompson's emergence mean that the Pistons have to surround them with as much shooting as possible. Detroit has two non-shooting bigs in Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, who will play 48 minutes at center. This naturally creates less space to operate for the ball-handlers like Cade Cunningham, Ivey, and Thompson.
That is why using one of the last roster spots on an elite shooter like Mathews is a good idea. He will likely not see extended minutes, especially in high-leverage situations like the playoffs. Yet, having someone like Mathews who can provide spacing in short stretches and can get three-pointers up in a pinch when the offense is struggling is a good alternative to have for any coaching staff. If general manager Trajan Langdon can get that player on a veteran's minimum, it instantly becomes a no-brainer for the Hawks.