Detroit Pistons Should Focus on Marginal Upgrades Over Adding Michael Porter Jr.
- Chad Marriott
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
Many publications and radio hosts are making the case for why the Detroit Pistons should add Michael Porter Jr. The arguments focus on MPJ's playoff experience and his ability to step in as a secondary scorer, but the dirty secret is that they want him for his career-high three-point percentage. The number is roughly 40% on a career high of nine attempts per game. Undeniably good, and the Pistons undeniably need more shooting.
Additionally, Michael Porter Jr. is undoubtedly a talented player, but his career year is coming on a less-than-stellar team. The Brooklyn Nets have won 11 games this season, while MPJ has increased his scoring average by nearly eight points per game from last season. So, if the Pistons were to add him, don't expect these numbers. Playing meaningful games and moving from the first option to the third would change that. What should the Pistons consider before going after MPJ?
Michael Porter Jr.'s Contract
The Pistons (and pundits) should look at his contract first. The $38 million this year and the $40 million next season should make the team think twice about adding him to this team. Trajan Langdon has historically valued cap flexibility over long-term contracts for veterans, with Duncan Robinson being the only veteran he has signed to a deal longer than 2 years (three years with $16 million this season and $15 million for the two seasons after).
The size of this contract has downstream effects. The Pistons would use all of Tobias Harris and Jaden Ivey's expiring contracts in the trade, while taking on an additional $12 million. Next season, Cade Cunningham's contract jumps up another $4 million. So, the Pistons would be roughly $24 million over the current cap before attempting to re-sign Jalen Duren. Ultimately, they would be committing to MPJ as the last core member of this team going forward. It would be interesting to see if the Pistons are comfortable committing to that. Some see the multi-year deal as a valuable part of the deal. Given the Pistons need to extend their young core over the next few seasons, that view may be shortsighted.
System Fit
Does MPJ fit this style of play, or are pundits spouting that because of his three-point shooting and likely viewership/click bump that comes with adding another high-caliber player? Likely. In Denver, his consistency and defense were frequently criticized. Does that sound like the kind of player that would fit the Pistons culture? One built on effort and defense? It clearly doesn't.
The Pistons have built a winning formula by attacking the paint, playing defense, and playing together. Adding any player will be a risk, but adding one with such a large contract and questions about his defense and effort is especially risky. The Pistons need more shooting. That's undeniable, but it doesn't need to come from a player who doesn't fit.
The Cost
This trade would likely cost the Pistons a first-round pick, Tobias Harris, and Jaden Ivey. Ivey would be the highest cost. Sports have become a "what have you done for me lately" business. Ivey, once a rising star, suffered a severe injury last season during the midst of a career year. Ivey's shooting and playmaking are still there, but he needs time to reacclimate to the NBA pace.
Ivey's style of play is a much better fit for the Pistons system than MPJ's. The only difference is that Ivey is returning from injury on an Eastern Conference-leading Pistons team, while MPJ is the primary option on a team that has won only 11 games.
The Pistons would certainly miss Harris's professionalism. MPJ hasn't necessarily built the same reputation, and obviously hasn't among the Pistons' young core. They would also miss his veteran leadership. MPJ has played in a lot of playoff games (75), but Harris has, too (67).
The Pistons have a great thing going right now. Any trade risks messing that up. Is MPJ a Pistons guy? Would the team, which consistently mentions that it is happy with who it has, get off track by making this kind of trade? These are all questions the team has to answer. It's not as simple as looking at box scores and doing the math. More goes into it than that. The Denver Nuggets moved on from Michael Porter Jr. for a reason. Pistons fans should be asking what that reason is before jumping on this bandwagon based on three-point shooting.
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