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Detroit Pistons: A comprehensive guide to the Pistons’ free agency targets

By Corey Rausch

PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 23: Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons dunks the ball in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers during their game at Moda Center on February 23, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 23: Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons dunks the ball in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers during their game at Moda Center on February 23, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Detroit Pistons (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

The top two targets

Harry Giles is likely the most talked-about young guy the Pistons should realistically consider this summer on Pistons Twitter, and it is easy to see why. Giles was a top high school recruit before suffering injuries that derailed him in college and during the early part of his professional career.

He has only appeared in a total of 96 games and looks to be behind Marvin Bagley once he comes back from injury. However, in only 14.6 minutes per game, he posted averages of seven points, four rebounds and 1.4 assists with only 2.6 fouls per game.

These are far more impressive per 36 minutes at 17.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists. The foul number is also key. This is important because plenty of young big men are foul prone. Pairing Giles with the next player on this list and a guard at the top of the draft feels like the best-case scenario for me this offseason.

Christian Wood, to me, is the top priority this summer. While players like Brandon Ingram may be better currently this is a guy who came here and proved it here. The fan base loves him and while that may change as they have tended to be fickle when a player gets paid but Wood deserves to get paid.

He averages 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in only 21.4 minutes per game and shot 38.6 percent from three. Per 36 minutes he looks like an All-Star with averages of 22 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.5 combined blocks and steals.

Wood took time to come into his own in this league but he has. He needs to develop on defense and work on becoming a better playmaker but he is overflowing with potential. This should be the first call the Pistons make when free agency starts.

Wood, Giles and the restricted free agents are the only people I would look at on long-term deals. Otherwise, I would be looking to do something like what the Knicks did last summer, as surprising as that may be. Adding people on one or two-year deals makes sense to give the Detroit Pistons flexibility and more chances at nailing one of these prospects.

Interesting times ahead, whenever that may actually be.

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