The Detroit Pistons have no room to make much noise in the NBA free agent market this summer. After dealing for Corey Maggette the Pistons improved their long-term salary cap situation but need to rely on their young players in the short-term to improve the team's play on the court.
Looking around the Central Division should help, since none of the other teams are making any bold moves to improve this summer. There has been plenty of action among the teams but none that threatens to build a dominant team in the division. Here's a quick look at what the competition in the Central has been up to so far.
Chicago - With Derrick Rose recovering from knee surgery with his availability for next season in doubt, the Bulls have yet to make a big move to help the roster. Instead they let go reliable bench players C.J. Watson and Ronnie Brewer. Retaining reserve center Omer Asik may be the big move for the Bulls if they are willing to match the three-year, $25 million offer sheet from the Houston Rockets.
Cleveland - The Cavaliers were in the middle of a four-team trade that would've sent Dwight Howard to Brooklyn, but the deal broke up and the Cavs are focusing on re-signing wing Alonzo Gee to join rookies Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller. The Cavs also let veteran Antawn Jamison go in free agency.
Indiana - The Pacers kept their starting five together by signing restricted free agents George Hill and Roy Hibbert. The Pacers have been busy in recent days revamping their bench by landing center Ian Mahinmi, forward Gerald Green and point guard D.J. Augustin. All players will be reserves replacing comparable players, so the Pacers are essentially holding their ground.
Milwaukee - The Bucks made a draft-day trade with the Houston Rockets for center Samuel Dalembert to add to draft picks John Henson and Doron Lamb. The Bucks also signed forward Ersan Ilyasova to a five-year, $45 million contract.
So while the Pistons look to Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe to make big strides and new additions Andre Drummond and Kyle Singler to help add some depth, no other team in the Central is making the moves to put them head and shoulders above the competition.
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