3 Young Guns Who Could Fill The Pistons' Final Roster Spot
Image: Raj Mehta/USA Today Sports
The Detroit Pistons front office has been busy these past couple weeks. It all started with longtime Pistons center Andre Drummond getting traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Brandon Knight, John Henson, and a 2023-protected second-round pick. To make room for both players that were brought back in the deal, Detroit waived third-string point guard Tim Frazier. Now, Detroit has decided to buyout point guard Reggie Jackson and his expiring contract so that he could join a title contender once he clears waivers.
With all this roster turmoil that has taken place these past couple weeks, the Pistons now find themselves with an open roster spot. With Luke Kennard still out for the foreseeable future and Khyri Thomas headed to the G-League to rehab a foot injury he's missed the whole season with, Detroit needs to bring in a guy who can potentially contribute or audition for a spot on this team in the future.
There are a few options that the Pistons have:
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With these four options available at the Pistons' disposal, here are three guys I believe that Ed Stefanski could bring in to fill that final roster spot.
Jordan Bone
Rookie point guard Jordan Bone is currently on a two-way deal with the Pistons, meaning that he can spend both time with the Pistons and their G-League affiliate Grand Rapids Drive, with the majority of that time in the G-League.
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The 22-year-old has been very productive in the G-League putting up averages of 18.3 points, 7.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds a game on efficient 45-41-78 splits from the floor. However, Bone has only seen 43 minutes of NBA action this year, with the majority of them coming during garbage time. During those minutes, Bone is averaging only 0.7 points and 0.9 assists in 5.3 minutes a game.
Although Bone has not done much at the NBA level, I think that Bone has shown enough promise in the G-League to earn a spot on the Pistons for the rest of the season.
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Trey Burke
A local favorite that could provide some useful minutes for the Pistons is former Michigan Wolverine Trey Burke. After playing in 25 games for the Philadelphia 76ers, Burke was waived to create room on the roster for both Alec Burkes and Glenn Robinson III. However, Burke played some valuable minutes while in Philadelphia, averaging 5.9 points and 2.1 assists on 46-42-72 splits in just over 13 minutes a game.
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Burke has always been a player that can contribute to a team right away, as he has career averages of 10.5 points and 3.5 assists per game on 41-34-80 shooting splits in just under 23 minutes per game for his career.
Burke is still only 27 years old and could provide some help for the Pistons over these last 25 games of the season. If Detroit can sign him to a deal using the MLE, I believe it would be a smart move.
Donta Hall
The last person I could see Detroit bringing onto the roster is Donta Hall, a 6'9" center/forward that is currently playing for the Grand Rapids Drive. Although he is not a guard, Hall could definitely add a lot of depth to the Pistons' frontcourt. In Grand Rapids, Hall is putting up averages of 15.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game on 66 percent shooting from the field in 28.5 minutes per night.
At only 22 years-old, Hall could add grit and athleticism to an already young frontcourt that includes 24-year-old Christian Wood and 22-year-old Thon Maker. Hall's brute athleticism and ability to protect the rim is something that Ed Stefanski could be interested in.
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If the Pistons can sign Hall to a 10-Day deal or two, a lot of Pistons fans would be happy.
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