2017 NBA free agency grades: Detroit Pistons to re-sign Reggie Bullock
The Detroit Pistons and Reggie Bullock have agreed to terms that will keep him in the Motor City for at least two more years.
The Detroit Pistons and Reggie Bullock seemed like they were on the verge of breaking up. The Pistons failed to make a qualifying offer of $3.3 million to Bullock by June 30, 2017. He became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2017.
In April, Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press gave Bullock a slim chance of returning. Ellis pointed out Detroit’s salary cap issues, and the possibility he could get a more lucrative offer as reasons he might leave for greener pastures.
Per Ellis, the NBA suspended Bullock for five games on June 16, 2017, for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. Bullock’s suspension, following a season plagued by injury, likely factored into Detroit’s decision not to offer him a qualifying offer.
Bullock tore his left meniscus after missing 12 games earlier in the season with back spasms. The tear required surgery and kept him off the court for two months.
Per Shams Charania of The Vertical, Bullock agreed to take $1.6 million less than his qualifying offer to stay in Detroit.
Free agent Reggie Bullock has agreed to a two-year, $5M deal to re-sign with the Detroit Pistons, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 11, 2017
The second year of the deal is not guaranteed. The Pistons’ decision to bring in Bradley and let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope go helped to free up money to re-sign Bullock. Wherever Caldwell-Pope lands, he starts the season with his own two-game suspension for driving under the influence.
During Bullock’s second year with the Pistons, he averaged 4.5 points in 15.1 minutes per game, shooting 38.4 percent from three-point range.
#Twolves inquired early on Reggie Bullock - Crawford's ex-teammate, he's a fan. But Det. + 2 others pushing hardest now. Decision this week. pic.twitter.com/HXZTDOyFdl
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) July 10, 2017
A few other teams looked at acquiring Bullock. However, the Pistons held Bird Rights on Bullock, allowing a team to exceed the salary cap to re-sign a veteran free agent or offer a contract extension.
Key Bench Player
If Bullock can stay healthy this season, this move benefits Detroit. He adds scoring off the bench, which the Pistons need tremendously. Ironically, the Pistons’ elimination from playoff contention last year gave Bullock a chance to showcase his talents.
Per Duncan Smith of Piston Powered, in the last four games of the season, he played 24 minutes a game and shot 58.8 percent from the floor and 65.2 percent from three-point range.
Grade
The Pistons’ salary cap situation puts them in a tough position. They don’t have the money to improve during free agency, though the trade that sent Marcus Morris to Boston in exchange for Avery Bradley may turn out to be a positive for both Boston and Detroit.
The Pistons saved a little money by agreeing to pay Bullock $2.5 million a season instead of $3.3 million. He does help the players around him improve when he can stay on the court. His repeated injuries coupled with the five-game suspension to start the season should give a team in Detroit’s position pause.
If he stays healthy re-signing Bullock might be just what the Pistons need to break away from the middle of the pack.
Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far
Grade: C+