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Detroit Pistons: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 12, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ish Smith (1) dribbles past Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ish Smith (1) dribbles past Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Pistons
Mar 18, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ish Smith (5) passes the ball around Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Inking Ish

Andre Drummond’s contract extension was Detroit’s top priority this summer, but their first move of free agency was actually agreeing to a three-year, $18 million deal with backup point guard Ish Smith.

No offense to Dobby the House-Elf Steve Blake, but after his lackluster season backing up Reggie Jackson off the bench, it’s safe to say that Smith represents a sizable upgrade as the first floor general off the Pistons’ bench.

Though he’s probably not a starting-caliber point guard in this league, Smith has become something of a fan favorite for his blinding speed, his ever-entertaining forays into the paint and his ability to set up teammates for easy looks.

As one of the NBA’s most well-traveled journeymen, there’s probably a reason his most successful stint as a starter came with the lowly Philadelphia 76ers, where he averaged 14.7 points, 7.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game last season.

But as a backup on a playoff-competitive team, Smith should bolster the bench, even if his horrendous three-point shooting (29.8 percent for his career, 32.9 percent last season) makes him a less than perfect fit. For only $6 million a year, this kind of upgrade over Blake is pretty much a slam dunk.

Grade: A-

Next: Drummond Extension

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