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At the moment, the Detroit Pistons are stuck in a holding pattern regarding restricted free agent center Jalen Duren. After an All-Star and All-NBA Third Team-caliber season last year, Duren is looking for a significant pay raise for the next several campaigns, but the Pistons clearly would prefer to ink the big man to a deal that is more team-friendly in order to keep as much financial flexibility as they possibly can. This is where the disparity rests between the number that Duren would be happy with and the amount that Detroit is offering.
Given that major caveat, the Pistons are otherwise widely believed to have completed most of their offseason business when they offloaded a few players who were deemed non-essential while also bringing in a host of talented three-point shooters to round out the squad and provide more of a threatening perimeter presence beyond the arc. However, there are still a slew of players still available on the free agent market that could potentially fit in the Motor City, but that possibility depends on both the value of Duren’s next contract and which positions are deemed in need of an upgrade before opening up the 2026-27 campaign.
Earlier today, Pistons Roundtable broke down the team’s current depth chart in order to provide a sense of where Detroit stands right now. Based on the moves that have already become official, the Pistons have a trio of talented point guards at their disposal, so it is unlikely that Detroit would hit the free agent market with the intention of bringing in another floor general before the season begins.
At the shooting guard position, the Pistons have a bit less depth but not necessarily a shortage of talent. With Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Joe topping the depth chart at that position, Detroit has a pair of sharp-shooting vets who will in all likelihood play an important role in every game during the regular season. Chaz Lanier is the third-stringer at the two spot, but he displayed impressive long-range efficiency during the Summer League, so it is more than possible that the Pistons will stand pat with what they have.
However, if Detroit is compelled to add another shooting guard, restricted free agent Benedict Mathurin is one name to monitor. After playing last season with both the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers, Mathurin offers a strong physical profile as an athlete who has considerable defensive chops, so that style of play would mesh with what the Pistons have built up to this point. However, Mathurin struggles from three-point range, so he would be a decided downgrade from a perimeter perspective when compared to Robinson, Joe or Lanier.
Along those lines, DeMar DeRozan is another player who could be willing to sign a veteran minimum in hopes of contending for a championship to close out his career, and he offered flexibility in the sense that he could contribute at either the two or the three. DeRozan has an ample amount of experience, can still score and create looks for himself, so the 6-6 wing has several attractive aspects to his game even at this stage in his career.
With the three and four spots relatively stocked up with talented players much like the point guard position, the only other option for the Pistons would be to add another center to compete with Tolu Smith during training camp since Duren (once he returns) and Paul Reed are firmly entrenched in their respective roles. As for centers who are still available, Duren is far and away the best of the bunch on the market, so it would be a surprise to see a free agent arrive in Motown at the five. Duren is the class of all centers who are yet to officially find a landing spot, so the Pistons should be focused on reaching an agreement with the 22-year old All-Star sooner rather than later.
For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage, but while you’re here, join Pistons Roundtable for FREE and become a contributing member to our community today. Also be sure to look up Roundtable - Michigan Men Media on Facebook for continued social media coverage of all the sporting teams in the Mitten.
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Given that major caveat, the Pistons are otherwise widely believed to have completed most of their offseason business when they offloaded a few players who were deemed non-essential while also bringing in a host of talented three-point shooters to round out the squad and provide more of a threatening perimeter presence beyond the arc. However, there are still a slew of players still available on the free agent market that could potentially fit in the Motor City, but that possibility depends on both the value of Duren’s next contract and which positions are deemed in need of an upgrade before opening up the 2026-27 campaign.
Earlier today, Pistons Roundtable broke down the team’s current depth chart in order to provide a sense of where Detroit stands right now. Based on the moves that have already become official, the Pistons have a trio of talented point guards at their disposal, so it is unlikely that Detroit would hit the free agent market with the intention of bringing in another floor general before the season begins.
At the shooting guard position, the Pistons have a bit less depth but not necessarily a shortage of talent. With Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Joe topping the depth chart at that position, Detroit has a pair of sharp-shooting vets who will in all likelihood play an important role in every game during the regular season. Chaz Lanier is the third-stringer at the two spot, but he displayed impressive long-range efficiency during the Summer League, so it is more than possible that the Pistons will stand pat with what they have.
However, if Detroit is compelled to add another shooting guard, restricted free agent Benedict Mathurin is one name to monitor. After playing last season with both the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers, Mathurin offers a strong physical profile as an athlete who has considerable defensive chops, so that style of play would mesh with what the Pistons have built up to this point. However, Mathurin struggles from three-point range, so he would be a decided downgrade from a perimeter perspective when compared to Robinson, Joe or Lanier.
Along those lines, DeMar DeRozan is another player who could be willing to sign a veteran minimum in hopes of contending for a championship to close out his career, and he offered flexibility in the sense that he could contribute at either the two or the three. DeRozan has an ample amount of experience, can still score and create looks for himself, so the 6-6 wing has several attractive aspects to his game even at this stage in his career.
With the three and four spots relatively stocked up with talented players much like the point guard position, the only other option for the Pistons would be to add another center to compete with Tolu Smith during training camp since Duren (once he returns) and Paul Reed are firmly entrenched in their respective roles. As for centers who are still available, Duren is far and away the best of the bunch on the market, so it would be a surprise to see a free agent arrive in Motown at the five. Duren is the class of all centers who are yet to officially find a landing spot, so the Pistons should be focused on reaching an agreement with the 22-year old All-Star sooner rather than later.
For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage, but while you’re here, join Pistons Roundtable for FREE and become a contributing member to our community today. Also be sure to look up Roundtable - Michigan Men Media on Facebook for continued social media coverage of all the sporting teams in the Mitten.
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