2024 Pistons Mock Offseason: Volume One
Volume One of The Detroit Elite’s first mock offseason is here and it consists of a lot of new faces joining the Pistons. After the season we had this past year, the new President of Basketball Ops should be looking to do just that. In this scenario, the Pistons focus largely on defensive help and players that fit and help Cade Cunningham. Before diving in, this is just a hypothetical mock scenario based on my knowledge of the NBA and things that could realistically happen.
Draft Lottery and Draft Pick:
The Detroit Pistons landed the #3 pick in the 2024 draft lottery based on the first simulation I did with Tankathon. The Spurs won the lottery for the second year in a row and will be pairing Wemby with Alex Sarr. The Raptors drafted 2nd and took Nikola Topic. The Pistons take Zaccharie Risacher.
A solid pick at three, Risacher brings plenty of upside, both shooting and defending. The Pistons draft him early but feel no need to rush him into the starting lineup and will look to upgrade the forward position immediately through trades and free agents.
Draft Day Trade (Jonathan Isaac):
After a successful end to the season and solid playoff performance, news breaks that Jonathan Isaac is searching for a larger role. The Magic would love to keep him, but after scouring the market, Isaac’s agent finds a big time opportunity in Detroit. The Pistons can guarantee Isaac a starting spot entering his expiring contract year. The Magic get a long term option with Isaiah Stewart, who plays a similar-ish role as Isaac, but can be relegated to a bench role behind Banchero and Wagner.
The Pistons benefits from Isaac’s readiness to spread his wings in a larger role and land one of the premiere defenders in the NBA.
Pistons receive: Jonathan Isaac
Magic receive: Isaiah Stewart and a 2024 2nd round pick
Free Agent Signings:
Patrick Williams
NBA free agency starts and the Pistons immediately open it up by offering two of their top targets. Patrick Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein. The Bulls will feel salary cap pressure when trying to re-sign DeRozan, and they will make the decision that letting Williams walk is in their best interest when they see the Pistons offer. They do not match and Patrick Williams signs in Detroit.
Patrick Williams’ Contract:
4 Years - 76 Million
2024 - $17,621,415
2025 - $18,500,000
2026 - $19,621,415
2027 - $20,621,415
Before you see the numbers and freak out, Williams already declined a 4 year - 60mil offer from the Bulls. He’s eyeing closer to De’Andre Hunter money (4 yrs - 95 mil) and that’s a quote from him. Think 2019-2020 Jerami Grant before he signed his 3 year - 60 mil contract with Detroit. The Jerami Grant-Pat Williams stats are incredibly similar. Williams could look to take a huge leap when he’s clear of LaVine, DeRozan and Vucevic dominating the ball. His two-way upside, defensive ability and 41% career 3pt shooting is worth the shot. Here’s to hoping for good health.
Isaiah Hartenstein
Detroit has a desperate need for an experienced, dependable big man, maybe even a borderline starter. We saw Cade and the Pistons benefit by having Mike Muscala on the floor, winning 3 out of 4 games at one point. He’s not the three point shooter Muscala is, but his shot is still respected.
Isaiah Hartenstein’s Contract
3 Years - 44 Million
2024 - $13,393,447
2025 - $14,593,447
2026 - $15,893,447
Marcus Smart Trade
With all that cap space Detroit entered the offseason with, comes opportunities like this. A salary dump. For around 20 million annually, the Pistons add a good balancing figure for Cade, a great defender and a solid backup point guard. Detroit can afford it. The Grizzlies really have no reason to pay Smart a total of 40 million over the next two seasons. Smart was acquired to bridge the gap during the Morant suspension and help the team compete until then. It didn’t happen. Not to mention, Bane’s extension kicks in next season. The Grizzlies have needs elsewhere. They need to add more shooting and a center around their core 3, specifically so JJJ can return to his natural PF role.
Detroit moves one of their young pieces, who was a prior 1st round pick in the 2023 draft. Sasser has the scoring prowess to thrive in this league - in the right situation. As much as I want to see him thrive in Detroit, we need veterans and locker room leaders to get our core young guys to take the next step.
Pistons Receive: Marcus Smart
Grizzlies Receive: Marcus Sasser