The Detroit Pistons had had a solid offseason, keeping the most important pieces of their core while continuing to look for ways to improve depth. Much of the team's ceiling will hinge on the continued development of those young core pieces. Still, there are improvements the team can make, starting with stealing a key piece from the Pacers.
An underrated story surrounding Indiana's Eastern Conference Championship was the support of bench piece James Johnson. While the veteran didn't have a regular impact on the court, his leadership and locker room presence kept him in Indiana for three years. And that's something this Pistons team needs as they look to make a similar run to what the Pacers just did.
James Johnson Could Be Surprise Key Signing for Pistons' NBA Finals Hopes
Though the veteran's best days on the court are behind him, there is still value to be had in signing Johnson. He would fit with Detroit's offseason, giving them another key veteran to cement the end of the bench. The only argument against it is whether or not the team can afford to use a roster spot on another volatile enforcer on the bench.
The flip side of this is that at this stage of Johnson's career, the veteran will be a calming presence and teach Detroit's current enforcers how to look out for franchise players in a throwback to the Bad Boys era that fans would love. Everything about Johnson fits the Detroit Pistons and what the franchise is attempting to build. He is one of the most physically imposing players in the league.
Detroit should consider adding both Johnson and an additional shooter to the end of the bench to finish what has been a solid offseason. In a wide-open Eastern Conference, the franchise can't afford not to make every possible move to improve. With the Pacers and Celtics both losing their star players for next season, there isn't any reason for every middle-of-the-pack team and fringe contender not to push their respective chips to the center of the table.
The Pistons have more reason than most to believe they can follow the path the Pacers set last season and make a surprise run. It wouldn't be the first time the franchise defied the script, and adding Johnson would only further the hopes of this. It is at least a move the team should explore as the offseason continues.