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The presence of Blake Griffin proved crucial for the Detroit Pistons during the 2018-19 season as the team qualified for the playoffs for just the second time in ten seasons. In his first full season in Detroit, Griffin rediscovered his All-Star form, while a late-season surge resulted in the Pistons securing the 8th seed ahead of the Charlotte Hornets.
However, a humbling 4-0 series defeat to the Bucks in the first round of the postseason demonstrated the organization's need to make further improvements to the roster. The Pistons are likely to be in the market this summer, and here are three players that are being strongly linked with a move to Detroit.
#3 Mike Conley Jr.
The Pistons are believed to be in the market for a point guard this summer, and Mike Conley is likely to be available. Conley is set to be traded due to the Grizzlies' desire to draft Ja Morant, and Chris Herrington of the Daily Memphian is backing the Pistons to make a move for the 31-year-old guard:
With Blake Griffin having a bounce-back season, the Pistons made the playoffs. But with Griffin injured, they didn’t put up much of a fight. If they want to maximize their chances through the rest of Griffin’s contract, then upgrading from Reggie Jackson to Conley at point guard should raise their ceiling at least a little bit, and maybe a lot. Jackson ($18.1 million expiring) and former Grizzly Jon Leuer ($9.5 million, ditto) are the most likely contract foundation for a deal. Jackson could be a veteran point guard to pair with Morant as he transitions into the NBA, but Grizzlies would probably prefer to re-sign Wright for that role and move Jackson to a third team. They’d also presumably want (and get) Detroit’s No. 15 pick in this summer’s draft.
Conley has never made an All-Star appearance, although the veteran continues to be among the NBA's most productive point guards. During the 18/19 season, Conley averaged 21.1 points and 6.4 assists per game.
#2 Wesley Matthews
The Pistons boast a powerful All-Star pairing in Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond, although the team still lacks depth. If the Pistons opt to bring back their All-Star duo next season, the recruitment of role players will be a major focus, and Dan Favale of Bleacher Report believes Wesley Matthews could be a target:
Detroit needs a marksman who can also shoulder some off-the-bounce work, which shrinks its best-case options by a considerable margin.
Wesley Matthews is a roller coaster. He dribbles into ill-advised jumpers, fancies himself a post-up artist at times and drilled only 28.3 percent of his pull-up threes with Indiana this season. But he can fire up the occasional pick-and-roll, will attack defenses before they're set and remains a dependable spot-up shooter. For what Detroit can pay, he's among the most versatile offensive options.
After appearing just two times while with the New York Knicks, Matthews joined the Pacers back in February. In Indiana, the 32-year-old started 23 times, averaging 10.9 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game.
#1 Seth Curry
Seth Curry finally ended his injury issues during the 18/19 season as he found a regular role in Portland's rotation. The 28-year-old made 74 regular season appearances, and his accuracy from beyond the arc (45%) was the third best in the NBA.
Curry has an upcoming player option on the final year of his contract, and James L. Edwards III of The Athletic is reporting that the former Sacramento man is a prime target for the Pistons:
The Pistons, who will be in the market come July 1 to sign a backup point guard and bolster their 3-point shooting, have Curry on their target list. When examining Curry’s potential as a point guard and primary creator, he was effective during the regular season in that regard. Per Synergy, Curry’s most-used play type was as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, and he netted an “excellent” 1.021 points per possession. Curry’s ability to shoot the ball from all over is a skill Detroit lacks in its current construct, and he’s also a little bit better of a finisher around the rim than most give him credit for.
Curry's ability to play at both guard positions is likely to appeal to the Pistons, and a two-year deal worth around $6 million should be enough to secure his signature.
