[KingslayerParticipant]

2015/2016 record: 44-38 *Contract values courtesy of Spotrac.

Roster (16/17 salary): Harris ($17.2 mil), Jackson ($15.0 mil), Meeks ($6.6 mil), Baynes ($6.5 mil), Morris ($4.6 mil), KCP ($3.7 mil), Johnson ($3.0 mil), Bullock ($2.3 mil), Dinwiddie ($1.0 mil), Hilliard ($0.9 mil). TOTAL =~ $60.7 million

Notable FA’s & Contract options: Drummond (RFA, $8.2mil hold), Tolliver (UFA), Anthony (TO, 2.5mil), Brown (TO, $1.0mil), Blake (UFA)

R1 Draft picks (16/17 salary): 18^th ($1.7 million)

Total Cap Commitment: = $60.7 + $1.7 = $62.4 million. $29.6 million in projected cap space

Backcourt: Detroit needs quality depth all over the roster, particularly at guard. They could probably get by with their current group of backup wings (Meeks/Bullock/Hilliard and Stanley) if they can stay healthy… The only reserve PG is Dinwiddie, so that’s clearly the greatest need on the roster… Jackson and KCP make for a versatile starting backcourt. Reggie can defend SG’s with his freakish 7’0” wingspan, while KCP is an elite defender at either guard position (seriously, check out some of his defensive highlight vids)… If I had to guess who Detroit’s ideal target would be at 18, it would be Wade Baldwin. He has the size and athleticism to defend both guard positions like Reggie does, and I think he’d be an excellent value at 18th overall. Teams in the mid/-late lottery like the Kings and Bucks are working him out, so I doubt he makes it to 18 though… Demetrius Jackson could be an option at 18 as well. I think SVG would want a more NBA ready & defensive-minded backup PG than Dejounte Murray… If they can’t land a backup PG in the 1st round, they’ll bring in a cheap veteran PG on a short term deal. It would help if the backup PG they bring in is a high level 3-Pt shooter. While they have a lot of decent shooters, they don’t really have a lights-out threat in their main rotation.

Frontcourt: Drummond has 2 things to do this summer – sign on the dotted line and practice free throws. His upside will be unlocked by becoming a 50-60% FT shooter, if he can… Baynes is a quality backup C… Detroit has capable 3 Pt shooters at all other positions on the roster to really complement Andre. The trade for Harris helped their offense flourish down the stretch last season… Marcus Morris is another very underrated defensive player on the Pistons, particularly against SF’s, and he has a very team friendly contract over the next 3 years. Stanley Johnson has a ton of room to grow on both sides of the ball as well, and will eventually overtake Morris for the starting SF position… Tolliver may be brought back cheaply as a stretch-4, but what the Pistons really need up front is a versatile 4/5 for depth. They don’t have anyone capable of playing both positions, except in extreme small ball lineups. They could be tempted if someone like Skal, Maker, or Davis falls to them at 18, or perhaps one of the intriguing euro Z-centers (Zizic & Zubac).

Outlook: SVG and GM Jeff Bower have done a great job since taking over 2 years ago. They’ve re-shaped the entire roster outside of Drummond and KCP, bringing in core players Jackson, Harris, Morris and Johnson, while returning to the playoffs last season. The Pistons are very well-coached, and have a good deal of upside with that core group. Andre and KCP are RFA’s over the next couple off-season’s, but the rest of the core is locked up for at least 3 seasons on affordable contracts. Detroit will commit the remainder of their cap space to Andre’s max deal this year, and should improve last’s year’s poor bench. Detroit won’t become a contender overnight, but they should be able to keep moving up the eastern conference standings next season.

 

 

 

[flybobbyflyParticipant]

 I want them to take Valentine and GP2 with their two draft picks.

They badly needed creativity and depth at their guard positions. Valentine is the epitomy of what they should be looking for in a 6th man as he can come in and play any of the three back court positions, facilitate offense spread the floor, and play good team defense. I think he fills a lot of holes for them right away, and comes in ready to contribute. 

Doubling down on guards is an interesting strategy for a team that lacks depth everywhere. I feel like Gary Payton 2 can be a valuable combo guard and can get on the floor with his defensive versatility and ability to play on or off the ball. In my opinion if you can find a rotation player in the mid 2nd round you’ve done a good job. 

I think between Jackson, KCP, Johnson, Morris, Harris, Valentine, and Payton they have a lot of versatility at the 1-4 both offensively and defensively. Hopefully they start getting a little more ball movement on offense and start connecting from outside at a higher rate. I’m optimistic for their growth as a team though.

 

 

[flybobbyflyParticipant]

 I want them to take Valentine and GP2 with their two draft picks.

They badly needed creativity and depth at their guard positions. Valentine is the epitomy of what they should be looking for in a 6th man as he can come in and play any of the three back court positions, facilitate offense spread the floor, and play good team defense. I think he fills a lot of holes for them right away, and comes in ready to contribute. 

Doubling down on guards is an interesting strategy for a team that lacks depth everywhere. I feel like Gary Payton 2 can be a valuable combo guard and can get on the floor with his defensive versatility and ability to play on or off the ball. In my opinion if you can find a rotation player in the mid 2nd round you’ve done a good job. 

I think between Jackson, KCP, Johnson, Morris, Harris, Valentine, and Payton they have a lot of versatility at the 1-4 both offensively and defensively. Hopefully they start getting a little more ball movement on offense and start connecting from outside at a higher rate. I’m optimistic for their growth as a team though.

 

 

[ChoppyParticipant]

 I wouldn’t be disappointed with Valentine. Realistically, I’d like them to draft one of either Maker, Valentine, Skal or go BPA with any lottery projected player who might drop eg Sabonis. 

[ChoppyParticipant]

 I wouldn’t be disappointed with Valentine. Realistically, I’d like them to draft one of either Maker, Valentine, Skal or go BPA with any lottery projected player who might drop eg Sabonis. 

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