2016 Detroit Pistons

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, David Kay and Peter Christian of the The Sports Bank. Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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Detroit Pistons (Last Year: 44-38)

2016-17 Projected Depth Chart:

C: Andre Drummond/Aaron Baynes

PF: Marcus Morris

SF: Tobias Harris/Stanley Johnson/Darrun Hilliard

SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope/Reggie Bullock/Jodie Meeks

PG: Reggie Jackson/Spencer Dinwiddie

NBA Free Agents:

C-Andre Drummond (RFA)

PF-Anthony Tolliver (UFA)

PG-Steve Blake (UFA)

2016-17 Team Salary: Approximately $73.6 million

NBA Offseason Team Needs:

1. Extend Drummond: Only turning 23 years old this summer, Andre Drummond has already established himself as one of the most impactful big men in the game. He is well-deserving of a max deal this offseason, and the Pistons would be foolish not to lock him up to a long-term extension as soon as possible.

2. Frontcourt Depth: The Pistons had an agreement to acquire Donatas Motiejunas from Houston prior to the trade deadline, but that deal fell through when the big man failed his physical. Based on that attempted move, Detroit will look to add frontcourt depth this offseason since Aaron Baynes is the team’s only reserve big man. Since the Pistons are still paying Josh Smith for next season and Drummond is due a big-time deal, the Pistons will have to find an option on the cheap or address this need when they select 18th in the 2016 NBA Draft.

3. Backup Point Guard: With Steve Blake a free agent and no true backup for Reggie Jackson, the Pistons have to address their depth at the one.