August may be upon us, but the Detroit Pistons front office is still working hard to add to their roster for the 2025-26 campaign.
Trajan Langdon and company added another piece to the puzzle on Monday when they reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with a veteran wing forward who has plenty of experience within the Central Division. While it isn't the flashiest signing of the summer by any regard, it does add some depth to the roster on the perimeter, which isn't a bad thing to have.
Outside of that, however, it is hard to say that this particular signing will be a needle mover for the Pistons this coming season. According to Shams Charania of ESPN.com, Detroit is finalizing an agreement with veteran forward Javonte Green.
Free agent forward Javonte Green is finalizing a one-year deal with the Detroit Pistons, sources tell ESPN. Green split last season in Cleveland and New Orleans and now enters his seventh NBA campaign as a defensive-minded wing. pic.twitter.com/Br3Z3fgF2l
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 11, 2025
Detroit's Addition of Javonte Green Doesn't Fill Most Obvious Need
Beyond his stint with the Cavaliers during the 2024-25 campaign, Green spent three and a half seasons with the Chicago Bulls at the beginning of the decade. If there is anyone who understands the dynamics of the Central Division, it is him. That aspect, in addition to his defensive-first mindset and 12 games of playoff experience, makes him a fine addition to the team at this stage of the offseason.
Wing forward isn't the area where Detroit needs the most help, both now and in the future. Power forward is. Tobias Harris is on an expiring contract. The likelihood of him remaining with the Pistons beyond this coming season seems low given his age compared to the rest of the team's core of younger players. Green's addition does nothing to address this.
A career 33% shooter from beyond the arc, it would be a stretch to even classify Green as one of the coveted 3-and-D signings that have become all the rage across the NBA over the last decade.
Instead of adding any value at the power forward position, the Pistons signed a veteran who will be competing with Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey, Duncan Robinson, Caris LeVert, and Ronald Holland II. for minutes. You can easily make the case that those five would all deserve minutes over Green, as well.
What's done is done, and Green will be joining Detroit for the 2025-26 season on what is likely a veteran's minimum deal. Whether he proves to be an asset in the Motor City is anyone's guess. The one thing we know for sure, though, is that the power forward spot behind Harris is still a mess.