Mediocrity in Motown: The Detroit Pistons need to bounce back in 2017-18
By Evan Dyal
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 23: Avery Bradley #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a three-pointer in the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 23, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Offseason
The major move of the offseason for Detroit was trading Marcus Morris to Boston for Avery Bradley. At first the trade looked good. Then, after acquiring Bradley, they renounced the rights to Caldwell-Pope. So essentially they lost two solid starters for one. Now, Bradley is better than Caldwell-Pope, but not worlds better. The other dangerous part is Bradley is up for an extension this offseason. Will he want to stay in Detroit for more than a year? He will at least solidify the shooting guard spot for a year.
The problem is now there is a hole at the small forward spot. Going forward the Detroit Pistons have two options. Option one is starting Stanley Johnson. A lot to ask of a player who averaged four points last season. Option two is starting Tobias Harris, and inserting Leuer into the starting line up at the 4.
Detroit also signed Langston Galloway to a three-year, $27 million deal. The Pistons also added to their depth via the draft by selecting Luke Kennard with the 12th overall pick. Kennard is a combo guard capable of handling, and he can shoot from deep.
Kennard should help the Pistons offense. The problem with Kennard is his defense. He struggled in college and will likely be a turnstile his first year in the NBA.