• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

DetroitSports.Today™

Detroit Sports News Continuously Updated

  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Red Wings
  • Pistons
  • Detroit City FC
  • Colleges
    • Central Michigan
    • Eastern Michigan
    • Michigan State University
    • Oakland University
    • University of Detroit Mercy
    • University of Michigan
  • Team Stores

Detroit Pistons Start 2025 Free Agency With Smart, Sneaky Moves

July 1, 2025 by Last Word On Pro Basketball

The Detroit Pistons have kicked off their 2025 free agency by locking in two notable deals. First, they re-signed Paul Reed to a two-year, $11 million contract. Shortly after, they agreed to a two-year, $29 million deal with former University of Michigan alumnus Caris LeVert .

These signings come as a bright spot amid a turbulent start to the offseason. Malik Beasley , once rumored to be signing a three-year, $42 million contract with Detroit, is now caught in the middle of a federal gambling investigation . Meanwhile, veteran guard Dennis Schröder —previously open to re-signing —chose the Sacramento Kings instead.

With Reed returning and LeVert bringing his scoring punch back to the state, the question now becomes: what kind of production can they deliver for a franchise looking to build on their 2024-25 momentum?

Detroit Pistons Start 2025 Free Agency With Smart, Sneaky Moves

Apr 11, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Caris LeVert (3) controls the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Pistons Kick Off 2025 Free Agency by Bringing Back Paul Reed

Bringing Reed back gives the Pistons a cost-effective, high-energy big man who fits well alongside their roster construction. He is a scrappy, switchable defender who makes impact plays whenever he is on the floor. His calling cards—rebounding, hustle plays, and defensive intensity—are exactly what the Pistons need in the event of injuries.

Reed will once again serve as the emergency center behind Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart . He’s an efficient finisher around the rim and runs the floor well in transition. Last season, Reed averaged 4.1 points, 2.7 rebounds in 45 games for the Pistons last season.

Cruically, Reed brings playoff experience and a gritty mindset that the Pistons’ locker room can continue to benefit from. He’s not the flashiest signing, but Reed could be crucial if the Pistons truly want to have depth on their roster to stay competing.

Pistons Choose LeVert Over Beasley — And It Makes Sense

While Beasley was once linked to the Pistons on an extension, they ultimately pivoted to LeVert—and it may prove to be the smarter move. On paper, Beasley brings elite shooting. He hit nearly 41.6% of his threes last season and ranked among the league leaders in makes. But his game has clear limitations. Beasley is a specialist—his value lives and dies behind the arc. He doesn’t create for others, struggles defensively, and offers little when his shot isn’t falling.

LeVert, on the other hand, is a far more versatile piece. He can handle the ball, initiate offense in a pinch, and defend multiple positions. Last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks, he averaged 12.1 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 64 games, showing a willingness to adjust his role and impact games in different ways. His size, playmaking, and rim pressure address more needs for a young Pistons team building its identity of versatility.

LeVert’s contract is not only shorter but also gives the Pistons a reliable veteran who can steady the second unit or slide into the starting lineup without breaking rhythm. He’s not without flaws—consistency and health have followed him throughout his career—but the floor with LeVert is higher, and the fit is cleaner for where the Pistons are headed.

The Last Word

The Pistons’ opening moves in the 2025 free agency period may not dominate headlines, but they reflect a front office focused on fit, flexibility, and foundational growth. Re-signing Paul Reed reinforces a defensive identity and keeps a valuable, cost-controlled big in the mix. Landing Caris LeVert over Malik Beasley signals a commitment to two-way versatility and veteran stability.

For a franchise still looking to gain league-wide respect, these are smart, calculated additions—not splashy, but necessary. Whether or not they move the needle in the Eastern Conference standings remains to be seen. But if the Pistons are serious about building a winning culture, these moves show a clearer sense of direction than the team has shown since Trajan Langdon took over. The challenge now is simple: turn these pieces into continued progress.

 

Featured image: © Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

The post Detroit Pistons Start 2025 Free Agency With Smart, Sneaky Moves appeared first on Last Word On Basketball .

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook

Filed Under: Pistons

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Red Wings Sign James van Riemsdyk, Jacob Bernard-Docker, Ian Mitchell
  • (no title)
  • Lions 2025 training camp preview: Can Hendon Hooker stick as QB2?
  • Jahmyr Gibbs contract projection: Lions RB could reset the market in 2026
  • Lions roster preview: Age, competition should push Kalif Raymond
  • Ranking the receiving corps of the NFC North

Categories

  • Colleges
    • Central Michigan
    • Eastern Michigan
    • Michigan State University
    • Oakland University
    • University of Detroit Mercy
    • University of Michigan
  • Lions
  • Pistons
  • Red Wings
  • Tigers
  • Uncategorized

Archives

Our Partners

All Sports

  • Detroit Free Press
  • Detroit News
  • 247 Sports
  • 97.1 The Ticket
  • Bleacher Report
  • Detroit Jock City
  • Forgotten 5
  • Fox Sports Detroit
  • Heavy
  • MLive.com
  • The Sports Fan Journal
  • The Spun
  • USA Today

Baseball

  • MLB.com
  • Bless You Boys
  • Last Word On Baseball
  • MLB Trade Rumors
  • Motor City Bengals

Basketball

  • NBA.com
  • Amico Hoops
  • Basketball Insiders
  • Detroit Bad Boys
  • Hoops Hype
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Last Word On Pro Basketball
  • Locked On Pistons
  • Piston Powered
  • Real GM

Football

  • Detroit Lions
  • Last Word On Pro Football
  • Lions Gab
  • Lions Wire
  • NFL Trade Rumors
  • Our Turf Football
  • Pride Of Detroit
  • Pro Football Focus
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Football Talk
  • Side Lion Report
  • Total Lions

Hockey

  • Elite Prospects
  • Last Word On Hockey
  • Octopus Thrower
  • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Talk
  • The Hockey Writers
  • Winging It In Motown
  • Wings Nation

Soccer

  • Detroit City FC

Colleges

  • Busting Brackets
  • Central Michigan Life
  • College Football News
  • College Sports Madness
  • Eastern Echo
  • Forgotten 5
  • GGMWolverine
  • Last Word On College Basketball - Michigan State
  • Last Word On College Basketball - University of Michigan
  • Maize n Brew
  • MGoBlog
  • Michigan Daily
  • MVictors
  • Saturday Blitz
  • Spartan Avenue
  • The Oakland Post
  • The Only Colors
  • The State News
  • The Varsity News
  • UM Hoops
  • Zags Blog

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...