Ranking the New 2024 Offseason Additions
It’s been an eventful two month period for Trajan Langdon and the Detroit Pistons. They’ve added six new impact players to the roster. I ranked their importance to the upcoming season based on my knowledge and how they can benefit the Pistons future. Regardless of how you rank them, Trajan was able to add veterans and shooters, which was of high need in Detroit. Holland and Klintman also both look like they were great draft picks.
1. Tobias Harris
No surprise. He brings veteran leadership and a game that fits great next to Cade. This is the type of player the young guys can get behind and learn good habits from. He can balance the locker room until Cade is fully ready to be that guy. Philly fans are fully responsible for the negative climate surrounding Tobias, but he's a great addition to any team on this contract. He is a great secondary ball handler & scorer that does everything well. He is a glue guy that can keep the team cohesive
17.2 PTS on 48.7 FG%, 35.3 3FG% and 87.8 FT% is very efficient, Philly fans would like you to believe otherwise.
Looking towards the future, the Pistons could possibly use Tobias, a young player or two with some future 1st rounders as a strong package for a star player that becomes available.
2. Ron Holland II
The newly turned 19 year old will need time to develop his shot but if it starts falling this season (work your magic Fred Vinson), watch out. His shot form looks smooth and is a good starting point for Vinson to work with. He can get to the rim at ease. The defense and athleticism are very much so there. Even more impressive is his athleticism and versatility to play 2 through 4.
Summer League is full of G-Leaguers trying to make a name for themselves. That puts you in a tough spot out there if you aren’t a point guard, you have to really fight for your touches, not always in the most efficient ways. Holland has done a good, yet not the most efficient job finding his shots. Putting Holland around a more organized NBA system + a point guard like Cade should help his efficiency.
Holland looks to be well on his way to being a dangerous scorer and lockdown defender in the NBA. That could easily make him the best player from this draft class. He’s a high value asset going forward and will only grow as his shot develops.
3. Malik Beasley
Putting a flamethrower from three point range next to Cade and finally opening up the floor for our star will expand his game. Among players averaging more than 25 minutes per game, Malik ranked 18th in 3pt % at 41.3, while putting up 7 a game. Jaden Ivey is the long-term plan next to Cade, but I believe the Pistons signed Beasley to boost the starting units 3 point shooting for now.
The importance of the Pistons finally being able to experiment with a full lineup of shooters around Cade for the first time ever (example: Beasley, Fontecchio, Tobias & Stewart) will be huge.
If Beasley continues his hot shooting into the trade deadline and hopefully Ivey is finding a shooting rhythm, Beas will be a hot commodity. If he’s not traded, you run the risk of losing him for nothing after his 1 year - $6 million contract expires.
4. Tim Hardaway Jr.
Originally, this looked as if it was more so a move by Trajan to snag some draft capital. Now the feeling is that Beasley and THJ will man most of the minutes at shooting guard. Tom Gores mentioned he did not want big money sitting on the bench like last season (Joe Harris) in his last press conference. In my opinion, Detroit still needs to add a proven backup PG, which makes you wonder about the shooting guard depth with Beas, THJ and Ivey. Hardaway J. is another veteran presence and good bench depth, which will be good. He’s not the most efficient shooter, but capable of catching fire.
THJ's expiring deal can be flipped relatively easy and be valuable to a team that is looking for cap relief.
5. Bobi Klintman
Bobi looks like a major steal from the 2nd round, but the forward depth on the team will make it tough for him to see the court right away. There's no denying his overall IQ, passing, shooting and ability to make good things happen.
Keep developing and kill it when the opportunities come & he will force his way onto the court. If Bobi proves to be ready sooner than later, he realistically makes Tobias, Stewart and maybe even Fontecchio valuable trade pieces. Keep an eye on his development because he could be hard to keep off the court.
6. Paul Reed
The Pistons will actually have efficient and experienced options to backup our 20 year old starting center and this will be more valuable than you think. He was averaging 1 block and .8 steals in 19 minutes for the 6ers last season. Reed showed he's not afraid to shoot and hit the three as well. He went 21-57, 37% from deep. It’s a small sample size, but trending the right way. He needs to cut down his foul tendencies, but everything else he provides is positive.
If Reed looked to be the second center on the depth chart he’d be a notch higher on the ranking, but right now it looks like Stewart will be the backup to Duren. Nevertheless, Reed is a very serviceable backup on a very affordable two year contract that could be relatively easy to move or make Isaiah Stewart moveable as well.