Chimezie Metu News, Rumors, Updates - Detroit Pistons

Hits open market The Pistons declined Metu's team option Saturday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Impact The option was worth $2.65 million, but the Pistons are opting to go in a different direction. Metu made 14 appearances for the Pistons in 2023-24, averaging 10.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.9 three-pointers in 29.4 minutes per game.

JUNE 29 • ROTOWIRE

Perfect from field Saturday Metu ended Saturday's 113-103 loss to the Nets with 20 points (9-9 FG, 2-2 3Pt), seven rebounds, three assists and three steals in 43 minutes.

Impact Metu took advantage of the fact the Pistons had a depleted frontcourt and made the most of this spot start, not missing a single shot from the field and rounding out his stat line with solid contributions in other categories. Metu has started just eight times this season, but he might have done enough in this one to remain in the first unit when the Pistons take on the 76ers on Tuesday.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Saturday Metu will start Saturday's game against the Nets.

Impact The Pistons are very shorthanded for Saturday, so both Chimezie Metu and James Wiseman could see a lot of minutes. In nine appearances with Detroit, Metu holds averages of 8.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.8 blocks.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Five steals against Hawks Metu accumulated nine points (4-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, three assists, one block and five steals in 28 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 121-113 loss to Atlan...

Impact The 27-year-old big continues to provide the Pistons with a strong defensive presence in the paint. Since taking on a regular role in the frontcourt rotation March 20, Metu has averaged 9.0 points, 5.0 boards, 2.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.9 blocks in 26.4 minutes over the last eight games, starting two of them. He's recorded at least one block in six straight contests, while Wednesday's five steals were a career high.

APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE

Scores 17 off bench Monday Metu contributed 17 points (6-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds and two blocks over 28 minutes during Monday's 110-108 loss to Memphis.

Impact Metu's performance Monday was the second time since March 20 that he scored in double digits. After completing a 10-day contract with the Pistons, the team signed Metu for the rest of the regular season. With Detroit, he's averaging 9.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals over 26.1 minutes per game.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Jaren Jackson Jr. scores 40, Grizzlies hang on to beat Pistons 110-108

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 40 points and the Memphis Grizzlies held on for a 110-108 victory over the Detroit Pistons

APRIL 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Inks deal with Detroit The Pistons signed Metu to a rest of season contract that includes a team option for 2024-25, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Impact Metu will stay with Detroit for the remainder of the season after completing a 10-day contract with the team. Over his six appearances, including two starts, Metu is averaging 7.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals. The 26-year-old forward should continue to be heavily featured in the Pistons' rotation down the stretch.

MARCH 30 • ROTOWIRE

Back to bench Metu won't start Friday's game against the Wizards, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Impact Metu drew another start Wednesday in Minnesota and posted eight points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block in 32 minutes. However, he'll head to the bench to make room for Troy Brown on Friday. Over his last five appearances (two starts), Metu has averaged 8.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 25.8 minutes per game.

MARCH 29 • ROTOWIRE

Decent in spot start Metu totaled eight points (3-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals over 32 minutes during Wednesday's 106-91 loss to the Timberwolves.

Impact Metu looked rough around the edges in the early stages of the game, and while he settled down as the game progressed, he wasn't much of a scoring threat. His contributions in peripheral categories were decent enough to salvage his fantasy output, but it would be surprising if Metu remains in the starting lineup when the Pistons take on the Wizards on Friday.

MARCH 28 • ROTOWIRE

Starting vs. Minnesota Metu is in the starting lineup to face the Timberwolves on Wednesday.

Impact Metu has been playing off the bench most of the season, but he'll get another chance to start here and will pair with James Wiseman in the frontcourt. Metu is averaging 11.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game across six starts this season.

MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE

Won't start vs. Knicks Metu isn't starting Monday's game against New York.

Impact Metu drew a spot start Sunday against the Pelicans, but he'll retreat to the bench for Monday's matchup. Tosan Evbuomwan gets the nod at power forward as a result of this lineup change.

MARCH 25 • ROTOWIRE

Balanced outing in starting lineup Metu posted 17 points (5-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 7-8 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 39 minutes during Sunday's 114-101 loss to the Pelicans.

Impact Metu got his first start Sunday after coming off the bench the last two games since signing a 10-day contract with Detroit, posting a team-high-tying point total while ending two rebounds shy of a double-double in a balanced outing. Metu posted his second-highest point total of the 2023-24 campaign, recording at least 17 points and eight rebounds in two outings.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

Enters starting lineup Metu is starting Sunday's game against the Pelicans, Keith Langlois of the Pistons' official site reports.

Impact Metu joined the Pistons on a 10-day contract Wednesday and will now draw his first start with Detroit after appearing twice off the bench Wednesday and Friday. Tosan Evbuomwan will retreat to a bench role as a result of this lineup change.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with Detroit Metu signed a 10-day contract with the Pistons on Wednesday.

Impact Metu made 37 appearances for the Suns earlier this year, averaging 5.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per game. He'll now join a Detroit frontcourt dealing with multiple injuries, so he could carve out some playing time over the next week and a half.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Waived by Memphis Metu will be waived by the Grizzlies, according to Michael Scotto of USA Today.

Impact The Suns traded Metu to the Grizzlies on Thursday, but Memphis clearly had other ideas for their frontcourt. Metu will likely generate a lot of interest on the open market. With the Suns, Metu averaged 5.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 12.1 minutes while hitting 50.8 percent from the field.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Dealt to Memphis The Suns are trading Metu and Yuta Watanabe to the Grizzlies in a three-team deal that will send Keita Bates-Dip and Jordan to the Nets along with Royce O'Neale to the Suns, Duane...

Impact Metu has seen inconsistent playing time for the Suns this season, averaging 5.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 12.1 minutes across 37 appearances, including five starts. However, the 26-year-old big man will likely receive increased playing time for a Memphis team that has been ravaged by injuries.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Coming off bench Sunday Metu isn't starting Sunday against the Grizzlies.

Impact Metu started the last three games with Kevin Durant sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Metu averaged 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 19.3 minutes per game during those starts but will come off the bench with Durant returning Sunday. However, Metu could see a few more minutes than usual with Durant on a minutes restriction.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Plays well in spot start Metu finished with 14 points (4-8 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal in 26 minutes during Monday's 109-88 win over the Trail Blazers.

Impact Metu drew the spot start with Kevin Durant (hamstring) sidelined, although it was believed to be a maintenance day. Metu has fared well in three fill-in starts this campaign, averaging 12.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.3 three-pointers. With Durant expected back Wednesday versus Dallas, Metu will likely move back to the bench.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Draws start Monday Metu will start in place of Kevin Durant (hamstring) on Monday against Portland, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Impact Metu has averaged 11.0 points and 4.5 rebounds across 22.5 minutes in two starts this season, but he boomed for a 23-point, 19-rebound double-double in a season-high 34 minutes off the bench on Christmas. The 26-year-old has streaming appeal against a Portland frontcourt lacking Deandre Ayton (knee) and likely Duop Reath (back).

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Stars despite loss to Dallas Metu finished Monday's 128-114 loss to the Mavericks with 23 points (9-18 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 19 rebounds, two assists and one steal across 34 minutes.

Impact Metu had one of the best performances of his career, as he came off the bench and made a strong case for more minutes going forward with an impressive double-double. He shattered his previous season-high marks in both points and rebounds, but fantasy managers shouldn't make risky decisions based on one game, and Metu will not have a lot of upside until he can see steady minutes over an extended stretch.

DECEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Quality outing in start Metu notched 14 points (5-7 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds and one steal in 25 minutes during Tuesday's 119-116 victory over the Warriors.

Impact Metu made his first start of 2023-24 on Tuesday and recorded season-highs in points, rebounds and minutes. While he will likely return to the bench once Kevin Durant (ankle) is able to suit up, Metu should continue to be a primary option for the Suns off the bench in the frontcourt.

DECEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets starting nod Metu is in the starting five for Tuesday's game versus the Warriors.

Impact Metu will replace Keita Bates-Diop in the starting lineup Tuesday, with Kevin Durant (ankle) out. Metu will make his first start of the season after logging 23 minutes in Phoenix's previous contest.

DECEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays well off bench Metu provided 10 points (4-9 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals over 23 minutes during Friday's 114-106 loss to the Kings.

Impact The Suns were very shorthanded Friday, and that seems to be the story of their season. Kevin Durant (ankle) and Grayson Allen (groin) were held out, and Nassir Little left the game after four minutes due to the concussion protocol. Metu made the most of his newfound minutes, setting a new season-best mark of 10 points. He's been a fringe rotation player for most of the season, but credit to Metu for stepping up when his number was called.

DECEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Logs two blocks in victory Metu chipped in four points (2-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds and two blocks in 12 minutes during Wednesday's 123-115 victory over the Warriors.

Impact Metu played double-digit minutes for the first time this season and didn't have stellar offensive production, but he recorded two blocks in the comfortable win. However, he's unlikely to see a significant role for the Suns moving forward.

NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chimezie Metu puts in work at Drew League playoffs | NBA.com Chimezie Metu puts in work at Drew League playoffs

AUGUST 1, 2023 • NBA.COM

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Jaren Jackson Jr. scores 40, Grizzlies hang on to beat Pistons 110-108