The Detroit Pistons have their backs against the wall. Down 3-1 against the Orlando Magic in the first round, the Pistons have a mountain to climb to avoid a disappointing upset as the No. 1 seed. While every Pistons fan is understandably laser-focused on the series at hand, the front office has begun to make its moves for next season.
Even though the Pistons can't make a deal official just yet, they are reportedly on the verge of luring German forward Isaac Bonga back to the NBA. According to news first reported by Meridian Sport Serbia and then picked up by multiple major international sports publications, Bonga will join the Pistons in the offseason.
Pistons Rumored to Sign Isaac Bonga for Next Season
Per these reports, Bonga is set to return to the NBA after four seasons away. Having last played for the Toronto Raptors in the 2021-22 season, the 26-year-old spent the past four years thriving in the EuroLeague with Bayern Munich and Partizan Belgrade. This season in the EuroLeague, Bonga averaged 9.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.9 steals in 28 minutes per game.
Playing high-level basketball consistently was exactly what Bonga needed after his NBA stint. After being a second-round pick in 2018, Bonga spent time with the Lakers, Wizards, and Raptors. Despite showing flashes, especially defensively, Bonga's offensive game never developed enough to be a solid rotation player.
Although his first NBA tenure didn't go according to plan, Bonga found a ton of success at the international level, winning the FIBA World Cup and EuroBasket as a key member of the German national team. His shot remains questionable, but he is still a versatile and valuable player whose basketball prime is still ahead of him.
Adding another defense-first, athletic wing isn't really a priority for the Pistons; perhaps Detroit didn't want to miss the opportunity to land an under-the-radar forward with upside.
Since Bonga is under contract with Partizan until the end of the 2026-27 season, he has to activate his exit clause by paying a $875K buyout, per the latest reporting. Since his deal will be significantly higher than that amount, even if it were just a minimum deal, Bonga should have plenty of interest in making the move to the NBA.
It's certainly a good sign that the front office is already at work to build next season's team. At the same time, few Pistons fans will care if Detroit flames out embarrassingly at the hands of the Magic in the first round.
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