Would love to have a discussion! (especially from other pistons fans)
Detroit Pistons 2024-25 Depth Chart
PG - C. Cunningham, M. Monte, M. Sasser
SG - G. Trent Jr, J. Ivey, D. Knecht
SF - A. Thompson, C. Levert, H. Ingram
PF - S. Fonteccio, I. Stewart, C. Osman
C - I. Hartenstein, J. Duren, M. Muscala
++Notable Issues from last season++
Three Point Shooting (Spacing) / Interior Defense Specifically (Shot Blocking) / Turnovers / Generating Steals
++Notable Positives++
Rebounding / Rim Pressure (Slashing) / Mid-Range Scoring
++Out++
James Wiseman - Had maybe one good stretch where he was affective over five games, but struggled the majority of the season. Decent shot blocker and had a good enough motor, but still lacks a ton of court feel and often doesnt know where to be. He has a team option on his rookie contract and the team should not be looking at bringing him back under any circumstances.
Troy Brown - Doesn't do much to impact the game on either end and was pretty much invisible during his stint in the rotation. His contact ends this season and they should look to upgrade.
Malachi Flynn - Didn't show the ability to get his teammates open consistently and was particularity bad as a lead guard in the Pick & Roll. Despite the 50 point game, he struggled at pretty much every other moment while he was in the rotation. If they do think about bringing him back, it should be on the minimum for one year and they should still look at getting a true back up point guard to help ease the turnover issue the team has.
Evan Fournier - Has a team option contact worth 18 million that should be declined. Not particularly special or consistent in any one area, but had his occasional moments as a shooter. If he is brought back it should be on a drastically reduced contract, otherwise they should allow him to walk.
Chimezie Metu - Had his moments, but I question what his actual position is. Not big enough to play C and not consistent enough of a shooter or quick enough laterally on defense to play on the wings. Wouldn't be mad if they brought him back, but I feel like they should attempt to find his replacement.
Taj Gibson - Past his prime, didn't really play a ton. I don't have much else to say about him.
Quentin Grimes - One of our only decent trade assets outside of our young core and he could get us at least a decent vet role player if combined with some future 2nd rounders. Wouldn't be mad at all if he's on the roster next season, despite the fact that he struggled during his short stint with us. Could fit very well next to Cade, Ausar, and Ivey and provide versatility to our bench.
Jared Rhoden - Two-way guy didn't play alot, but wasn't affective when he was on the floor.
Buddy Boehim - Two-way guy, who I struggle to see ever making the jump to the league. Little athletism and a target on defense.
Tosan Evbuomwan - Two-way guy with good effort and motor, but he's not particularly affective at the moment. Wouldn't be mad at them giving him one more year on a two way contract.
Monty Williams - Consistently went away from lineups and plays that were affective in favor of playing his guys (Killian, Livers, Flynn). Didn't get handed the greatest hand obviously, but would frequently disrupt any flow our guys had in favor of 5 man substitutions, that would see 15 point leads gone in the span of a few minutes, and our good lineup faced with a near 10+ point deficit once subbed back in. Also didn't adjust his game plan nearly enough.
Troy Weaver - NO WORDS NEED TO BE SPOKEN.
++In++ /
Potential Coaches
Chris Quinn
Jarron Collins
Kenny Atkinson
James Borrego
Terry Stotts
Free Agents (That I Would Sign)
Isaiah Hartenstein - Really good defender who knows when to negate the roller and when to step up to cut off the ball handler, which is great for a young team who has its lapses in the pick & roll. Would provide a great starting option while Duren continues to develop off of the bench. Also a pretty good finisher and connective playmaker for his size. Could front load his contact and provide a significant pay raise to lure him to the team. I like him just a little more than Nic Claxton (who I believe will be resigned by the nets) because of his strength, but would be fine with either. Also would be willing to pay him more than stated seeing as New York can't offer anywhere near as much money as we can.
Gary Trent Jr - Prolific Floor Spacer. Not the greatest defender or playmaker, but shouldn't be as big of an issue next to Cade and Ausar. We will have to overpay for him though, seeing as Toronto has the money to keep him.
Or
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - AN ACTUAL THREE & D guard next to Cade which is what this team desperately needs until Ivey is ready to play that role consistently if he ever is. Not a lockdown defender, but has a very good defensive iq and knows where to be in order to be a good team defender next to Ausar. Would obviously be a good floor spacer. Could also front load his contract to attract him to the team seeing as he's in the same situation with Denver as Hartenstein is with New York.
Monte Morris - Should not have been traded in the first place. Good playmaking option of the bench who also had one of the better AST/TO ratios in the league. Would help to cut down on TO's for a team that often lost games soley because of them.
Simeone Fonteccio (Resign) - Played very well next to the young core and was very affective from the moment he got to the team. Was practically a way better defending / slightly worse finishing Bojan. Cade played his best basketball next to him.
Mike Muscala - Good floor spacing big.
Cedi Osman - Decent wing depth vet
Other Options Nic Claxton (C) Malik Beasley (SG) De'Anthony Melton (SG) Malik Monk (SG) Royce O'Neale (SF) Bruce Brown (SG) Gary Trent (SG) Markelle Fultz (PG) Isaac Okoro (SG) Derrick Jones Jr (SF) Caleb Martin (SF) Jonas Valanciunas (C) Taurean Prince (PF) Kyle Andersen (PF) Cam Payne (PG) Jordan McLaughlin (PG) Isaiah Joe (SG) Cedi Osman (SF) Lonnie Walker (SG) Patty Mills (PG) Jalen Smith (PF) Daniel Theis (C) Thomas Bryant (C) Lamar Stevens (SF) Delon Wright (PG) Matt Ryan (SF)
++Draft++
Pick 5 - Dalton Knecht (Good Floor Spacer, who can also finish at the rim. Won't be asked to create a ton for himself. Not worried about his defense when played next to Ausar.)
or
Matas Buzelis (Could be very affective if his high school shooting numbers translate to the league and he's able to get stronger. Biggest ? In the draft, but worth the risk.)
Pick 30 - Harrison Ingram (Good-not-great defender who may struggle to defend speedier guards, but has very good hands and can help to generate more steals while also being a good team defender. He can also space the floor consistently and could add more wing depth and length at the SF position.
Feel free to comment and let me know what you think.