NBA free agency doesn’t begin until July 6, but there already appears to be a market for Dillon Brooks as the 27-year-old prepares to explore the open market.
Following an unceremonious exit with the Memphis Grizzlies, including the team informing him he won’t be retained, Brooks is looking for better opportunities with his next franchise. While the 2023 NBA playoffs likely hurt Brooks’ reputation, there still appears to be a legitimate market building for him this summer in NBA free agency.
- Dillon Brooks stats (2022-’23): 14.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 39.6% FG, .033 WS/48
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Already linked to the Miami Heat by one rival NBA executive, it now seems likely that the 6-foot-6 guard will have several suitors this summer. As he seeks to find a home that will allow him to play a bigger role offensively, at least one new team seems to be emerging as a threat to land him.
According to Marc Stein, there is significant talk around the NBA this month that the Detroit Pistons are the “team to watch” to sign Brooks this summer.
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The former 45th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft is coming off a first-round playoff performance that generated significant criticism. Most recently, he said he didn’t respect ‘old’ LeBron James and he was later ejected during a game after punching James in the groin.
Brooks, viewed as a below-average athlete for his position, also struggled during the playoffs. In six games against the Los Angeles Lakers, he averaged 3.3 personal fouls per game and shot 23.8 percent from the perimeter with a 31.2 percent clip from the field.
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He fared slightly better in the regular season, posting a 114 Defensive Rating and shooting 32.6 percent from beyond the arc. However, there are still questions about what role he can play for a playoff contender amid his current aspirations to be more of a centerpiece for a team.
Ultimately, with the class of talent in NBA free agency weaker this summer than in previous seasons, Brooks will still receive multiple contract offers. For a team like the Pistons, with significant cap space and in need of defenders, he could be a fit for Detroit.
