Miami Heat: 3 potential suitors for Derrick Jones Jr.

1. Detroit Pistons

Following a dismal 20-46 record, the Detroit Pistons will not be featuring in the postseason for the third time in four seasons. Most notably, the extended absences of Blake Griffin, Luke Kennard and the bought-out Reggie Jackson was ultimately too much for the remainder of the Pistons’ roster to overcome. And when you throw in the midseason departure of two-time All-Star center Andre Drummond, this was a rather calamitous season for the Pistons.

The Pistons were truly mediocre across the board last season – 21st in offensive rating, 22nd in defensive rating and 23rd in net rating. Derrick Rose was exceptional in his first season with the team, averaging 18.1 points in just 26 minutes per game on a career-high 49.0 percent shooting from the field. So aside from Rose, emerging big man Christian Wood, and the exciting growth of Kennard when available, there wasn’t much else to get excited about as a Pistons fan.

Looking ahead, the health and reliability of Griffin is a major concern. Recently turned 31, Griffin still has two years and $75.6 million remaining on his contract after this season. But having now missed 147 games over the past five seasons, primarily due to recurring knee issues, his future as a highly impactful player is clearly in some doubt.

With $23 million coming off the books in the form of guards Brandon Knight and Langston Galloway, the Pistons will certainly have the space to add a young talent such as Jones. But the major impediment facing all teams mentioned here lies in the quote directly above, in that Jones is incredibly determined to remain with the Heat.

So while Derrick Jones Jr. wishes to remain in a Miami Heat uniform for the foreseeable future, strange things can happen come free agency. And as we have all learned in a variety of ways this year, things can change very quickly and unexpectedly.