NBA free agency frenzy is in full swing, and a half-dozen former Detroit Pistons are among those getting P-A-I-D.
Some contracts seem reasonable and some are a bit out of the stratosphere.
Let’s jump in and take a look at where these former Pistons landed, and whether the attached contract is just mildly ridiculous or completely bonkers.
Jonas Jerebko
Jonas Jerebko, Boston Celtics (re-signed)
Two years: $10 million
OK, not too crazy. Reasonable, in fact.
Jerebko was quietly productive in short stretches with the Pistons over the years, but after going down with an Achilles injury, he was never able to really regain his spot in the rotation.
It appears the Celtics will utilize his unique skill set for 15-20 minutes a game, and I think they’ll be satisfied with their return on investment.
Amir Johnson, Boston Celtics (new team)
Amir Johnson
Two years: $24 million
Are the Celtics just trying to morph into the knockoff Pistons? Jerebko, now Amir Johnson...who’s next, Walter Herrmann? Austin Daye? Michael Curry as a player-coach? Sir Slam-A-Lot???
All kidding aside, it’s a nice pickup for Boston. Amir has transformed himself from a nondescript benchwarmer with the Pistons to one of the NBA’s most respected rebounders at the power forward position. His offensive game is still somewhat limited, but he’s a consistent double-digit scorer for the most part.
It’s also strange to see Amir entering his 11th season in the NBA when he is still just 28 years old. This should be like his 5th or 6th year, right? He’s got that Renee Zellweger from Jerry Maguire thing going on.
“Look at me, Laurel...I’m the oldest 28-year-old power forward in the league!”
Kyle Singler, Oklahoma City Thunder (re-signed)
Kyle Singler
Five years: $25 million
When you have a team with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, guys who constantly demand double and triple teams, you need players around them that can knock down shots at a high rate. Kyle Singler more or less fits that description.
He’s not a pure sniper in the Chris Mullin/Kyle Korver mold, but he’ll generally connect on close to 40% from downtown, which apparently was good enough for $25 mill from the Thunder.
He cannot create his own shot, so the looks have to be delivered to him, but on this squad, that shouldn’t be a big problem. Singler will continue to be a nice bench piece for the Thunder, a team that looks to be back in the title hunt with all the major characters healthy again for 2015-16.
Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks (re-signed)
Khris Middleton
Five years: $70 million
On paper, the contract looks insane. After all, it was just a few short years ago that Middleton was a second round pick getting garbage time minutes with the Pistons. But after going to the Bucks in the Brandons trade (Knight for Jennings), Middleton has flourished in a larger role.
At 6-foot-7 and armed with a deadly shooting stroke from deep, Middleton has suddenly become a feared starting small forward in the NBA. Last year, he put in over 13 points per game while shooting the ball at a 47% clip, and proved himself to be a reliable late-game weapon with a penchant for walk-off buzzer-beaters.
Having said all that, it is still stunning to see the number attached to Middleton’s contract. Something above Singler money, sure. But almost three times the amount? I’m not sure that’s entirely kosher. But like the Celtics above, the Bucks are counting on a mini-parade of former Pistons to bring some old Motown magic to their new home. Which brings us to...
Greg Monroe, Milwaukee Bucks (new team)
Greg Monroe
Three years: $50 million
The Bucks are investing big bucks that Monroe will be the missing piece that can take this team from middling first-round fodder to legitimate Eastern Conference contenders. I don’t see it playing out that way.
Moose Monroe is a very solid NBA player. No doubt about it. But is he an elite player? One of the top 15 or 20 in the league? Not from this vantage point.
His numbers the last few years, about 15-16 points and 9-10 boards a night, look very impressive to the naked eye. But a part of that story stems from the old NBA adage, “Somebody’s got to put
up numbers for a bad team.”
NBA teams are going to score over 90 points and pull down 40-45 rebounds every game. Just because you’re the one doing the majority of that stat-padding for a perennial loser doesn’t necessarily mean the numbers will translate when joining a newer, more competent squad.
The Pistons will miss Monroe’s craftiness around the basket, his improving post-up game, his hardworking attitude on the floor. But with the offensively-challenged Andre Drummond firmly entrenched in the middle for this franchise, and Monroe also a non-shooter alongside, it was time for a change at the 4-spot. The laws of NBA spacing practically demanded as much.
With Ersan Ilyasova, a guy that can knock down shots from all over the court, it should bring about a more diverse and balanced attack from the Pistons' frontcourt.
Brandon Knight, Phoenix Suns (re-signed)
Brandon Knight
Five years: $70 million
Essentially the same deal the Pistons just doled out to Reggie Jackson. Both teams are hoping their respective point guards will continue to grow and mature and eventually become one of the preeminent players at what has now possibly become the league’s most critical position.
Knight has the look and feel of an All-Star lead guard, but the skills need quite a bit of refinement for him to grow into one of the NBA’s elite. His shot is more streaky than anything, capable of going off for eight treys and 40 points in a night, but just as capable of going 3-for-17 and shooting his team right out of a game. His assist numbers, holding steady at between four and five a game, are well below the standard for top professional floor generals.
But despite some of those chinks in Knight’s armor, the Suns are hitching their wagon to him.
And at just 23, there’s still a reasonable chance that Knight does progress to a lofty leaguewide status where shelling out $70 million doesn’t seem so crazy.
For now, however, it’s a boatload of money committed to a player that has spent four seasons in the NBA and is yet to experience a single minute of playoff basketball.
