The Detroit Pistons have some major decisions to make this summer concerning the veterans on the roster and their fit with the franchise moving forward.
With Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Dennis Schroder all hitting the open market this offseason, Trajan Langdon must figure out which, if any, of those three make sense as a long-term fit in Detroit. Each of the three brings something different to the table, enhancing their respective value to the Pistons.
There are talented players all over the NBA, though, and it is the overall cost of doing business that can be more important than anything else this time of year. With that being the case, Langdon will be tasked with making these tough calls in hopes of helping the Pistons make deeper postseason runs in the coming years.
Detroit Pistons Veteran’s Tenure in Detroit Reportedly Likely to End
No one will know for certain just what Langdon will do once free agency opens until we reach that point of the offseason. However, longtime NBA insider Jake Fischer has reported that the most likely candidate not to return is none other than Hardaway Jr.
Of the three, Hardaway Jr. is the oldest of the bunch and would seemingly be the least likely to fit with the core of the roster's timeline moving forward. Beyond Fischer's reporting, Schroder would make the most sense not to return as the biggest reason the veteran was brought to Detroit in the first place was to fill the void following Jaden Ivey's injury.
If one of the three veterans were to come back, it should be Beasley. He is the youngest of the bunch and arguably the most impactful, thanks to his ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc at a high percentage. Even that signing could be difficult, though, as Beasley should have plenty of interested suitors.
Pistons fans will need to be patient, but this roster is coming together in the vision that Langdon and the rest of the front office have planned.