At this point in the offseason, the Detroit Pistons are unlikely to make a big swing on the trade market. The front office is seemingly more interested in keeping its powder dry and maintaining its flexibility heading into the season. The only player they are rumored to be interested in right now is free agent forward DeMar DeRozan.
If the Pistons are in fact looking to add more offensive firepower in free agency, DeRozan is not the best option. The Pistons would be wise to look elsewhere in the market, but they don't have to look too far. Fellow free agent scorer Bradley Beal would be a much better fit for Detroit.
If Pistons want to add a scorer in free agency, Bradley Beal is a better fit than DeRozan
Beal became an unrestricted free agent after turning down his $5.6 million player option with the LA Clippers. After signing with them last offseason, things didn't work out for Beal. He ended up suiting up for six games before undergoing a season-ending hip injury. Now, he is looking for another opportunity to revive his career, and the Pistons are as good a fit as any.
The 33-year-old shooting guard will have some suitors in the market. The Miami Heat, for example, seem like a natural landing spot. The Pistons, however, have the capacity to pay Beal more thanks to their superior financial flexibility.
Since Beal turned down his player option, he is presumably looking for a more lucrative one-year deal or a multi-year contract with more guaranteed money. After clearing up cap space for Duren, the Pistons should have enough room under the luxury tax line to sign both Duren and Beal.
What makes Beal a superior fit to DeRozan is his ability to shoot. He has been a 40% shooter from three at various points in his career. He has a ton of versatility to his shot as he can make jumpers off the dribble, catch-and-shoot, or coming off screens. He is also a very good ball-handler and passer for a shooting guard.
Because of his off-ball ability, Beal can play next to Cade Cunningham and provide spacing. He is additive next to Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, and Duren. DeRozan, on the other hand, creates significant spacing issues due to his inability to shoot. This makes him a bench-only player who shouldn't start or close games for the Pistons.
DeRozan is also a horrendous defender. Beal is unlikely to be a positive on that end of the floor after a long absence, but it's still hard to imagine him being worse than soon-to-be 37-year-old DeRozan.
Availability is a big appeal for DeRozan. He never misses time, while Beal has dealt with significant injuries throughout his career.
There is a big risk involved with signing Beal, but this is the type of swing the Pistons have to make after spending the entire offseason playing it safe and only marginally improving.
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