Following a playoff performance that, it is fair to say, was pretty disappointing after finishing atop the Eastern Conference in the regular season, the Detroit Pistons clearly set out this offseason to rectify the main issue that prevented them from thriving in the playoffs: half-court offence (and lack of shooting in general). Put simply, they needed another guard who can get buckets at a high level to take some weight off Cade Cunningham.
Per reporting from a range of credible insiders, the Pistons
pursued Austin Reaves as their top priority in free agency, who re-signed in LA on a max deal. They then turned their attention to Coby White, who swiftly re-upped on a deal with the Hornets following the LaMelo Ball blockbuster trade to Minnesota. Detroit was also rumoured to be interested in Norman Powell, who just inked a deal with the Bulls. See where I’m going with this?
As these names who can credibly help the Pistons continue to decrease, Tyler Herro’s value as a trade chip for the Bucks increases. You know, supply and demand. It’s worth noting that Detroit has remained interested in Herro since the Bucks acquired him, per reports, but, for a range of reasons, I could see why he wouldn’t have been their first priority. It’s not as if Herro is some sad consolation prize, though; I mean, he’s an All-Star! Say what you want about his defensive shortcomings or availability issues, but you can’t deny that he fits that team like a glove.
Herro commands attention all over the court. His gravity as a shooter—both off the catch and off the dribble—means primary defenders must guard him closely, and secondary defenders must be be right there once the primary gets beaten. Herro is no Dame or Steph in terms of gravity, but he’s got the ability to hurt you in similar ways. Conceptually, the tandem of Herro and Cunningham playing off each other seems as if it would work brilliantly, while both can command units when the other is on the bench.
And then you get to the other end, where the fit makes even more sense. The main issue Miami had with Herro was that they felt they couldn’t play him alongside another poor defender, which limited lineup flexibility. But in Motown, Herro would be insulated by uber-talented defenders in Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren (who I am assuming ends up back on the team). Cade is not some plus defender, but he’s passable and has size. John Collins, whom they just signed, is solid on that end too.
As for why Milwaukee wouldn’t keep Herro, the main issue is that he feels like the wrong player to invest in at this point in their journey. If he were 22 years old, maybe, but at 26, is he really the guy you want to spearhead your rebuild and pay a massive contract after this season? To me, he feels much more like a finishing piece to add to a team that needs what he can provide than he does a cornerstone for a franchise in the opening years of a rebuild. That said, it’s not like I’d throw a fit if Jon Horst wasn’t happy with the offers and wanted to keep a hometown guy who can sell tickets, but I’d still prefer the other option.
The fit is good in Detroit, and I think Trajan Langdon knows it. Now they just have to come and get him.
