It was a bit surprising when the Pistons picked Darrun Hilliard with the No. 38 pick in the draft.
But they obviously liked the 3-and-D wing from Villanova then, and they haven’t changed course.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:
Detroit has signed 38th overall pick Darrun Hilliard to a three-year deal, league source tells Yahoo. Hilliard is a guard out of Villanova.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 16, 2015
Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:
To follow up on @WojYahooNBA report: Hilliard's first year guaranteed, second year partial guarantee and third-year team option. #Pistons
— VinceEllis (@AlabamaScribe56) July 16, 2015
If the Pistons haven’t officially signed Reggie Jackson, who agreed to an $85 million deal, they could fit Hilliard into cap space. Otherwise, they had to use part of their room exception. (Minimum-salary exceptions can be for up to two years.)
Giving Hilliard three years makes sense, because it gives the Pistons his Bird Rights if he plays well through three years. With a partially guaranteed second season and non-guaranteed third season, the downside is low for Detroit.
The Pistons’ more-immediate challenge is trimming the roster. They’re committed to 17 players, including Jackson and Joel Anthony, who has yet to formally sign. Danny Granger and Cartier Martin are prime candidates to get waived, and Reggie Bullock could fall in that group, too. There’s no rush. Detroit doesn’t need to reach a 15-man roster until the regular season begins.
So, these battles could extend into training camp. The Pistons will explore trades in that time, too.
Really, it shouldn’t be out of question to waive Hilliard if other players shine in the preseason. But given the contract he got today, I’d be shocked if Detroit seriously considers it no matter how he plays before his rookie year.