The Detroit Pistons made a pair of minor roster moves today. The Pistons have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA this season, and part of the reason is that they are deeper than last season. So, these recent Pistons two roster moves are more about the future than the present.
According to the team’s press release , Detroit signed Tolu Smith and Ron Harper Jr. to two-way deals. The Pistons released two-way players Alondes Williams and Cole Swider in a corresponding move. Smith and Harper join Dariss Jenkins as the Pistons players on a two-way deal.
How Detroit’s Two Roster Moves Help Pistons Down The Line
Expect Smith and Harper to continue developing with the Motor City Cruise, Detroit’s G-League franchise . Neither player is NBA-ready, but they may get opportunities later in the season if the Pistons fall out of the play-in race.
Detroit defeated Portland 118-115 earlier tonight to extend their winning streak to a season-high four games. The Pistons have won seven of their last eight and are 18-18 on the season. They currently sit seventh in the East.
While Harper Jr. has a better opportunity to earn minutes with Detroit than Smith, the likely scenario is that both will sign a two-way deal with the Pistons this summer if their deals are not for two years (which is possible).
Smith went undrafted out of Mississippi State in 2024 and signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Pistons this fall. The 6-11 forward has been part of the Cruise program since being released by Detroit in training camp.
Smith is an athletic big, an outstanding rebounder, and highly efficient around the rim. He is also good at finishing through contract, a developing shot-blocker, and a solid defender.
The 24-year-old averages 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds (3.6 offensive), and 1.4 blocks in 27 minutes over nine appearances with the Cruise. He has also recorded six double-doubles.
Harper is in his third NBA season and fourth franchise. The 6-4 wing, once considered a potential 3-and-D prospect, began his career with Toronto , where he saw 51 minutes over 10 appearances with the Raptors. He had been playing for Boston’s G-League franchise in Maine before inking his deal with the Pistons.
Harper doesn’t do anything great, though he has once again shown signs of being someone who could fill a role at the NBA level. Harper was having a solid campaign with Maine, compiling 13.3 points and draining 2.3 treys while shooting 48.3/38.8/71.4.
The 25-year-old has started out the G-League regular season like “a house on fire” as he tallied 91 and drained 16 threes through the first four games of the G-League regular season.
Swider and Williams Future
Williams and Swider each have NBA experience, although the pair spent their first season in Detroit with Motor City. Both players are in their third NBA season, so Williams and Swider are eligible for a two-way deal for one more season.
Swider, who went undrafted out of Syracuse, saw 13 minutes of NBA action in two games with the Pistons and has appeared in 27 NBA games in his career. Meanwhile, Williams saw four minutes in one appearance for the Pistons this year and has seen 25 minutes in nine NBA games in his career.
I will say these roster moves are a little surprising. While Swider and Williams haven’t seen much NBA action, each player possesses a very valuable skill in today’s NBA game. However, neither player fits in the Pistons’ current vision due to their lack of defensive ability.
Swider, known as a sharpshooter, was having another solid G-League campaign. In 18 games with Motor City, 16 starts, the 6-8 forward averaged 20.9 points and 4.6 threes with shooting splits of 47.7/44.3/95.6. However, he struggled to rebound the ball and was one of the worst defenders on the Cruise. Expect the 25-year-old to find another job in the G-League, perhaps earning a two-way deal or overseas.
Alondes Williams
Williams has been known as a “bucket-getter” since his senior campaign at Wake Forest. A 2024 NBA all-star Rising Star participant, he recorded nine double-doubles and three 40-point games in the G-League last season.
But the 25-year-old guard—an average 3-point shooter—has struggled on both ends of the floor for the Cruise this year. Ball handling has also been a major issue.
Williams should be able to find another G-League opportunity, though it is hard to imagine that he will earn another two-way deal this year. Perhaps he could earn a two-way deal next season. However, going overseas may be his best option.
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