In the middle of a rebuild, does it make sense for the Detroit Pistons to resign Langston Galloway?
In the summer of 2017, Langston Galloway signed a three-year deal worth $21 million with the Detroit Pistons. It was thought by many to be a overpay at first, but Galloway would quickly prove to be a meaningful piece in the Pistons rotation.
Before the 2019-2020 NBA season went on hiatus, he stepped into the sixth man role for the Pistons. Playing nearly 26 minutes per game, the second-most minutes off the Pistons bench, Galloway was able to show off all of his skill set. Not only is he a proven shooter, but he can also work inside the 3-point line. This season, Galloway made 64 percent of his field goals within the restricted area.
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Some of you might ask “Why re-sign a 28-year-old Langton Galloway?”. I’ll tell you exactly why it’s a smart move. First off, the Pistons will be unlikely to sign a high-profile free agent this offseason. The Pistons will have plenty of cap space this offseason, with Christian Wood due for a big pay raise. Langston Galloway will be a cheap and proven 3-and-D type player.
Secondly, Galloway is quite efficient when he is on the floor. Even with the shortened season, Langston Galloway had the best statistical season of his five-year career. The Detroit Pistons sharp-shooter was the only player on the roster to play in all 66 games this year. He also had his best shooting season, making 44 percent of his field goals.
Lastly, he is not only a leader on the court but also in the locker room. He would be a great veteran presence in the young Pistons locker room. This could help mature the youth quicker and teach them a good work ethic.
If the Detroit Pistons were to give Langston Galloway a new contract, he would likely stay in his same role and feature that same efficient shooting off the bench. Galloway averaged five 3-point attempts per game this season, a top-five mark on the team. In addition to 44 percent from the field, Langston also shot 40 percent from behind the 3-point line. That is a must-needed spark off of the growing Pistons bench.
During the 2018-19 NBA season, the Pistons ranked 20th in the league in bench scoring at 36 points per game. The 2019-20 season brought a huge jump to number 3 in the league at nearly 46 points per game by the Pistons bench. Realistically, it would be ideal for the Pistons to stay in this range next season if they want to be competitive.
Langston Galloway had a big impact on the 2019-20 Detroit Pistons bench unit. He averaged a career-high in points, over 10 points per game. He was also able to help space the floor being a 3-point threat. Galloway was also one of the best in the league at 4-point conversions. Seven times he knocked down a 3-pointer and was fouled. That means that Langston is very good at creating contact and getting to the line. Galloway also shot 85 percent from the free throw line on the season.
If the Pistons can resign Langston Galloway for around the $6 million per year mark, they need to pull the trigger. In recent years, the Pistons bench has struggled with positive production, but retaining Langston Galloway would help bolster the bench along with any additional free agency moves.