The Detroit Pistons are entering a pivotal offseason for the future of the franchise. Following the 30-win improvement from a season ago under new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, the Pistons are looking to take another leap forward in the 2025-26 season. Taking that step, however, will be more difficult than the previous one, as the path to true contender status is never an easy one.
That path requires nailing offseason decisions, including addressing pending free agents like Tim Hardaway Jr, Malik Beasley, and Dennis Schröder, working the trade market, and targeting outside help in free agency. Sometimes it's not the blockbuster moves that make the biggest impact on the team, like the Pistons saw firsthand with the Beasley signing last season.
Pistons Should Consider Targeting Bruce Brown in Free Agency
Detroit can turn to a familiar face in free agency to try to find value on the margins. Former Pistons guard Bruce Brown is a free agent this summer, and after a disappointing last two seasons, he could be an intriguing buy-low candidate.
After winning the title with the Denver Nuggets in 2023, Brown established himself as a solid two-way guard who can defend multiple positions and do a little bit of everything on the offensive end. He earned himself a two-year, $45 million deal with the Indiana Pacers that offseason, but has been bouncing around since, splitting last year with the Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans.
Between the two franchises, the ex-Miami (FL) product averaged 8.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.8 steals while shooting 42.1% from the floor and 33.3% from deep in 41 appearances (12 starts).
At age 28, Brown should still have plenty of gas left in the tank.
His jumper is inconsistent, but his effort isn't. He can be a solid bench guard for any team, including the Pistons, and he should come at a bargain deal after dealing with injuries and underwhelming last season. If Schröder ends up being out of Detroit's price range, Brown could be the perfect, cheaper alternative.
Brown was a second-round pick of the Pistons in the 2018 NBA draft and played two seasons in Detroit before getting traded to the Nets in a three-team deal that also involved Luke Kennard and got back Saddiq Bey, Rodney McGruder, and a first-round pick.
A return to where his career started could be exactly what Brown needs to revive his career.