The Detroit Pistons could use some inexpensive depth at power forward and were hoping 2nd-year player Bobi Klintman could step into that role in some capacity.
I don’t think anyone expects a 2nd-round pick who had an up and down rookie season in the G-League to suddenly step into a big role for a team that has playoff aspirations, but Klintman hasn’t even looked like a back of the bench guy [so far in Summer League.](https://pistonpowered.com/summer-league-problems-solutions-detroit-pistons)
He’s rebounded well and shown flashes as a passer, racking up three assists per game in an obviously small sample size, but he’s also turned the ball over a ton, committed a lot of bad fouls and only shot 36 percent from the floor.
For Klintman to get any kind of rotation minutes at any point next season, he’ll have to hit shots, so you’d like to see him knock a few down against Summer League competition in his second season.
SL is often sloppy with over-aggressive defense and plenty of fouls, so you can’t take too much away from this, but Klintman does not look ready for rotation minutes in the NBA. That could change, and he’ll have the summer and training camp to prove himself.
The Pistons don’t have a real power forward to back up Tobias Harris but will be comfortable mixing and matching Ron Holland II into that spot along with Ausar Thompson for now it appears.
The Pistons could also turn to a low-cost free agent or another internal option.
Detroit Pistons’ free agency: The power forward market
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There are still [plenty of available players](https://pistonpowered.com/detroit-pistons-best-remaining-free-agent-options-dire-need) who could fit the role of a versatile backup big. The Pistons still have wiggle room to sign someone on a minimum deal or to use their recently acquired TPE.
Chris Boucher, Trey Lyles and Precious Achiuwa remain unsigned and could potentially add the kind of depth the Pistons need, though may be too expensive for the kind of limited role Detroit is likely offering.
The Pistons bench was undersized at times last season, and they haven’t done anything to change that, but they may have an in-house option.
A bigger role for BBall Paul?
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Paul Reed was retained to be the third center.
I am always biased in favor of these types of players, as I love the chaotic bench disruptors, and the Pistons have had some great ones over the years. Reed is chaotic, but he always seems to make plays when he’s in there, for better or worse.
He finds ways to get himself dunks, makes nice little pocket passes now and again, has possibly the ugliest 3-point I’ve ever seen, hedges screens well on the perimeter and occasionally blocks a shot. In short, give the man more minutes!
Reed can pick up a few more backup big man minutes in a lineup with forwards and shooters when the Pistons want to be disruptive and cause chaos defensively.
If Reed can potentially play 5-6 more effective minutes per game (yet to be seen if he can keep from fouling out), the Pistons may not need an external answer.