Jamal Crawford and Ryan Anderson (Photo : Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons could look at Jamal Crawford or Ryan Anderson as their targets in this year's free agency.
The Pistons' need to add another scorer became evident when they lost four games against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs. With free agency looming, the Pistons will have a chance to pursue free agents who could fit in Stan Van Gundy's playbooks.
According Detroit News writer Rod Beard, the Pistons are looking to add a backup guard and forward who could take on the roles of Steve Blake and Anthony Tolliver.
"Van Gundy said last week he could have between $7 million and $15 million in cap space to lure prospects - and likely would be looking to add a reserve point guard and backup power forward to replace Steve Blake and Anthony Tolliver, respectively," Beard wrote.
Among Beard's suggested summer targets, the most fitting players are Crawford and Anderson, who are both entering the market as an unrestricted free agent.
Crawford would be the perfect acquisition for the Pistons at the backup guard spot. The three-time Sixth Man of the Year winner has always been the Los Angeles Clippers' offensive spark off the bench and will likely have the same role in any team.
However, Crawford, who averaged 14.2 points per game during the regular season, has always been interested to return to Los Angeles, with the team also keen to stick with their core roster for the next season.
"I would love to stay here," Crawford said, reports The Los Angeles Times. "To break through with this core group would mean everything."
On the other and, Anderson would be an intriguing backup power forward for the Pistons due to his versatility and shooting range. The 28-year-old forward could complement Andre Drummond's inside game by stretching the floor with his three-point shooting.
Despite only playing 66 games in the regular season for the New Orleans Pelicans, Anderson averaged a career-high 17.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.7 percent from the field.
With Anderson likely to seek a max contract in free agency, the Pistons, if they really intend to sign the power forward, should probably put more money on the table for Anderson.
Securing Drummond would certainly be the Pistons' main agenda in the offseason, hence the limited budget to lure prospects in free agency. But if Detroit wants to be contenders for the next season, they may have to make significant upgrades within their roster.
