The Pistons signed Aaron Gray to a two-year contract this summer, but the center has been out after suffering a heart episode. Detroit also signed Hasheem Thabeet to an unguaranteed contract to provide another option as a center behind Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe.
Someone who can’t play or Hasheem Thabeet?
Rather than choosing between those unappealing options, the Pistons traded Will Bynum for Joel Anthony. Now, they’re cutting Thabeet loose.
Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News:
The Pistons just waived Hasheem Thabeet, Brian Cook, Josh Bostic and Lorenzo Brown
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) October 20, 2014
If Thabeet doesn’t catch on somewhere else, he’ll have the shortest NBA career of a top-two pick since Jay Williams, who had a career-ending motorcycle crash after his rookie year. Yes, Darko will have lasted longer in the league than Thabeet.
The Pistons still must waive a player with a guaranteed contract to get under the regular-season roster limit. Tony Mitchell and Gray, if he can’t get healthy, are the most likely candidates.
Detroit’s D-League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive, already have Lorenzo Brown’s D-League rights. The Pistons could assign Thabeet, Brian Cook and/or Josh Bostic to Grand Rapids, as well. If those players sign in the D-League, they could play only for the Drive, but any NBA team could sign them.