NBA Rumors: If the Detroit Pistons have their way this offseason, they could end up playing spoiler for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers.
After reestablishing themselves as a relevant team in the Eastern Conference again this past season, the Detroit Pistons should be a team to keep tabs on heading into the NBA offseason. If they want to make a splash move via trade or free agency, the opportunity will be available for Detroit. And if the whispers are accurate that there could be major chaos this summer, perhaps the Pistons could jump into the action.
If they wanted, the Pistons could find a path toward creating $25 million in cap space to use in free agency. They also have plenty of draft capital and a few intriguing young players they could use to make a big move via trade. More specifically, the Pistons could have their eye on Myles Turner or Naz Reid, who are both expected to hit free agency next summer. If Detroit were to strongly pursue either one of those players, the upstart Pistons could end up playing spoiler for the Wolves or Pacers, who will be trying to keep their core together.
The Detroit Pistons are ready to take the next step
After the strides that the Pistons have made this past season, they could be ready to take the next step as a franchise. In many ways, the "next steps" for the Pistons could be considered targeting a big name via free agency or trade. Both Turner and Reid could be natural targets for the Pistons.
With a clear need in the frontcourt, Turner or Reid could fit what the Pistons need to improve heading into next season. Whether the Pistons will be able to pry Turner away from the Pacers or Reid away from the Wolves remains to be seen, but as two of the bigger-name free agents set to hit the open market, Detroit could look to play spoiler on both fronts.
Because of the cap situations for both the Pacers and Wolves, they could find difficulty in re-signing both Turner and Reid. However, you'd have to imagine that both teams are going to try and get deals done. If there is any hesitation on either front, the Pistons could absolutely step in to steal one away.
The Pistons might be ready to level up this offseason. For the first time in a long while, they could be in a perfect position to do so.