Pistons Could Pivot to 2 Players After Naz Reid's Offseason Decision
The Detroit Pistons took the NBA by storm last season. They went from a bottom-table team to a playoff squad in just one offseason.
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Cade Cunningham's ascension into stardom, making his first All-Star team in his young career, certainly led the way, but there was a culture change in Detroit.
The Pistons are building an identity, which head coach JB Bickerstaff has helped create.
Now, the organization's focus will shift. It's not purely development, though that aspect won't go away.
Identifying core players and making moves to add the proper complementary players is much-needed as the Pistons aim to continue to get better and prepare to climb towards title contention.
The offseason is here, too. With the NBA Draft having come and gone, the next step of the summer is free agency, which begins in just a couple of days.
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One early target for the Pistons was going to be Naz Reid, a Minnesota Timberwolves big man. On Friday, Reid signed a long-term contract extension with his team, pulling him off the board.
Jan 4, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (9) dribbles on Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena.© Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The Pistons will have to pivot their offseason priorities now, and there are two names that stick out early, according to Jake Fischer.
Detroit could look into acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker or Santi Aldama.
After the Timberwolves paid Reid, they'll struggle financially to retain all of their free agents. If they let Alexander-Walker go, the Pistons will have the salary cap room to land the young wing.
Aldama is a great shooter from the Memphis Grizzlies and would provide great floor spacing for Cunningham and the Pistons.
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With the Grizzlies being aggressive early in the offseason, they could aim to find more complementary pieces to Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant, making it less likely they'll pay Aldama.
Again, finances could be the reason Detroit has a chance at the two role players, and they certainly have the salary cap room to make the moves to land additional talent.
The Pistons were the No. 6 seed last season and played a competitive first round against a talented New York Knicks team.
In a now wide-open Eastern Conference, the Pistons are right to build around what worked last year and improve as a team, even if they have to spend some of the cash on hand.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
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