The Pistons declined Umude's (ankle) team option for the 2024-25 season Saturday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
Umude missed the end of the 2023-24 season with a hairline fracture in his ankle, and a timetable isn't currently known. Umude will now have to test the open market as a free agent after making 24 appearances with the Pistons last season with averages of 5.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 three-pointers.
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Pistons' Chimezie Metu: Hits open market
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The Pistons declined Metu's team option Saturday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
The option was worth $2.65 million, but the Pistons are opting to go in a different direction. Metu made 14 appearances for the Pistons in 2023-24, averaging 10.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.9 three-pointers in 29.4 minutes per game.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Gets qualifying offer from Detroit
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The Pistons extended a $5.22 million qualifying offer to Fontecchio (toe) on Saturday, making him a restricted free agent, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reports.
The transaction allows Detroit to match any offer sheet that Fontecchio might sign with another team, but he'll most likely work out a deal with the Pistons beforehand. The 28-year-old was acquired by the Pistons via trade with the Jazz in February and averaged 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.9 steals in 30.2 minutes for Detroit while starting in nine of 16 appearances. Fontecchio underwent surgery on his left big toe in May and is expected to be fully cleared ahead of training camp.
The Mavericks traded Hardaway and three second-round picks to the Pistons on Friday in exchange for Quentin Grimes, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Hardaway was a consistent contributor for Dallas over the past five seasons, and he maintained his production during the 2023-24 campaign despite coming off the bench in most appearances. Over 79 regular-season appearances last year, he averaged 14.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 26.8 minutes per game, but his role decreased once the playoffs began. Hardaway should be able to carve out a decent role on the wing with the Pistons after Dallas elected to move on from him, largely to clear some cap space.
Pistons' Daniss Jenkins: Agrees to two-way deal with Pistons
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Jenkins agreed to a two-way deal with the Pistons on Thursday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Jenkins registered averages of 14.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.7 triples and 1.6 steals per game on 44.6 percent shooting from the field and 85.1 percent at the line during his senior season with the St. John's Red Storm. It's not likely that he'll get much run early in the season, but if Detroit devolves into a dumpster fire again, there could be some opportunity for Jenkins to find meaningful minutes.
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Pistons' Bobi Klintman: Heading to Detroit
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Klintman was selected by the Pistons with the No. 37 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The Pistons made a trade with Minnesota to acquire the No. 37 pick, which they're using to draft Klintman, a wing player who played for Cairns Taipans of the NBL last year after playing collegiately at Wake Forest. Over 23 appearances in the NBL last season, he averaged 9.7 points and 4.8 rebounds in 21.7 minutes per game. Klintman is a solid defender and has shown some promise as a shooter, so he could be a decent two-way contributor at some point.
The Timberwolves traded Moore and the No. 37 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to the Pistons on Thursday in exchange for the No. 53 pick, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Moore wasn't a major part of the Timberwolves' rotation last year, but he was productive in the G League, averaging 19.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 35.2 minutes per game over eight regular-season appearances with the Iowa Wolves. He'll likely play a similar role in Detroit.
Pistons' Ron Holland: Headed to Detroit with fifth pick
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Holland (thumb) was selected by the Pistons with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Holland's calling card is his defense, owning a high motor and exceptional athleticism while showcasing a quality handle that makes him an intriguing prospect at 18 years of age. He was one of the top players coming out of high school but partially fell under the radar with the G League Ignite due to a season-ending thumb injury suffered in January after appearing in just 14 games. The injury is expected to be fully healed in time for Summer League. If Holland can add a reliable three-point shot -- he connected on 24 percent of his attempts in the G League -- he could be a cornerstone player for the Pistons. Holland figures to fill in alongside Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren in the frontcourt as Detroit shoots for upside at No. 5 overall.
