Detroit Pistons
Nov 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) battles with Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and center DeAndre Jordan (back) for the loose ball during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Clippers won 101-96. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Pistons need to clear some cap space if they want to use free agency to break free from the middle of the pack, but for now, here are five dream targets if the salary cap weren't an issue.The Detroit Pistons' plans for the 12th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft garnered a lot of speculation.That pick wasn't going to propel them to the top of the Eastern Conference. In fact, without a trade, one could have argued the draft would've given the Pistons just enough of an edge to stay consistently mediocre.Per ESPN's Marc Stein, the Pistons toyed with the idea of dealing their first round pick in this year's draft.NBA Draft scuttle: Hearing Detroit is open to discussing trades for its No. 12 overall pick in hopes of acquiring more of a win-now veteran.— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 30, 2017However, no such trade could be found on draft night, and with the Pistons being so close to the salary cap, all they can afford to do this year is dream. In a perfect world, teams wouldn't have to contend with annoying details like salary caps and luxury taxes. In a dream world, the Pistons could assemble another version of the Bad Boys.Here's a look at five veteran players Detroit could use to return to prominence in free agency. Since this is a dream scenario, luxury taxes, salary caps and star players with "no-trade clauses," weren't factored in.Next: No. 5 Mar 21, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Nerlens Noel (3) shoots and makes a jump shot against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
5. Nerlens Noel
The Dallas Mavericks picked up Nerlens Noel from the Philadelphia 76ers just before the NBA trade deadline in February 2017. The Pistons would have to pull a rabbit out of their hat in order to convince the Mavericks to let him go without matching or beating their offer.
Noel is young enough to build around for the future. His biggest upside for the Pistons is he hasn't reached his full potential. Noel can make an impact now on the defensive end. He gives the Pistons the kind of inside presence Big Ben Wallace brought to the center position.
As his offensive skills continue to grow and sync with his defensive skills, Noel's value will increase. He'd offer the Pistons an infusion of youth and defense that would complement Andre Drummond (assuming they keep him).
The combination of Drummond, a 7'0″ footer who averages 13.6 points per game and shoots 53 percent from the field, and Nerlens, who is listed at just under 7'0″, could help Detroit cruise through the Eastern Conference and provide a serious defensive issue for teams like the Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets in the West.
Drummond and Reggie Jackson both suffered from injuries last season. Those setbacks stopped the Pistons from having the productive season many fans and experts expected last year. Drummond would like to keep the core group together, but how can you say no to another defensive weapon?
Noel averaged 8.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game and has shot 59 percent from the field during his short tenure in Dallas. Noel was the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban discussed Noel with dallasnews.com.
"I'm not allowed to talk about [negotiations] but all I can tell you is he's one of a bunch of guys who came in, they all got together and said 'Let's go down to the practice facility and start working out together,'" Cuban said.
That kind of nonsense blue-collar work ethic was the cornerstone of Detroit's NBA championships and would be a welcome addition to this Stan Van Gundy squad.
Washington Wizards
May 7, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) reacts against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in game four of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
4. Otto Porter Jr.
Ottor Porter Jr. is coming off of his best season yet with the Washington Wizards. His consistent mastery of game fundamentals makes him a force. During the playoffs, Porter averaged 14 points per game and shot 56 percent from the field.
Porter's coach Scott Brooks discussed Porter with Bleacher Report's Josh Martin in April.
"He's a creature of habit, which I think all the great players do," said Scott Brooks, who was Durant's head coach in Oklahoma City for seven seasons before taking over the Washington Wizards this past summer. "All the great shooters have that. You don't just get extra shots because you had a bad shooting night last night. You stay with your same program."
Porter's consistent nature and his ability to play defense and shoot the three make him an asset for any lineup. He's versatile and ambitious on the court, but he's not a playmaker. Porter benefits from lineups that include a selfless floor general. That doesn't really apply to Reggie Jackson, but his ball-handling combined with Porter's basketball IQ and skill could create a new dynamic duo in Detroit.
Porter will test the waters of free agency this summer as a restricted free agent. If he can stay healthy and he can be a solid contributor to the Pistons next year.
Apr 12, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) shoots over the defense of Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
3. Kyle Lowry
Kyle Lowry could use a change of scenery. He's on the wrong side of 30 and he missed 22 games last season due to injury, including two of Toronto's final playoff games against the Cavaliers.
Even though Lowry is older, having another veteran in the locker room with playoff experience could be worth the risk.
Teams in the East are stockpiling for the near future. The Cavaliers and LeBron James' window is closing. In fact, Dan Gilbert might have slammed the window shut by the firing of general manager David Griffin. James has repeatedly defended the GM and called for a contract extension. Discord in Believeland could be just the break the Pistons need to make a run in the Eastern Conference.
Jack Maloney of CBS Sports gave some insight into Lowry's mindset entering free agency.
"A few days after the Cavaliers eliminated the Raptors from the playoffs by the Cavaliers, Lowry decided to opt out of the final year of his contract in order to become a free agent, and said "I just want a ring."
Lowry wouldn't be the first guard to play his best basketball after the age of 30. Steve Nash, John Stockton and of course former Detroit Piston Chauncey Billups all come to mind. Lowry could come into his season with a team of his own. He averaged 22.4 points, 7.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 46.4 percent from the field this season.
If the Pistons could keep Lowry, Jackson, and Andre Drummond, together they could improve and capitalize on the parity in the Eastern Conference and make a serious run at dethroning King James and company.
Nov 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin reacts during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Clippers won 101-96. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
2. Blake Griffin
Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (6'10", 251 pounds) is also highly unlikely to land in Detroit's lap this offseason.
Griffin would complement center Andre Drummond if the Pistons were able to bring in Griffin. An addition like this could give the Pistons a Rip Hamilton, Ben Wallace, Chauncey Billups type of feeling again.
Despite missing over 20 games last year due to injury Griffin averaged 21.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game on 49.3 percent shooting from the field.
The addition of Griffin Detroit would immediately have an impact and make the Pistons a playoff team in the Eastern Conference. Adding Griffin to the lineup would also add playoff experience.
Blake is 28 and still has time to contribute to a team that's contending for a championship. At this point in Griffin's career, however, getting to the playoffs is not enough. He's ready to make a serious run at hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy. With the right pieces around him, he could do that in Detroit.
Oct 28, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Utah Jazz guard Gordon Hayward (20) during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
1. Gordon Hayward
Utah Jazz small forward Gordon Hayward (6'8″ 226 pounds) averaged 21.9 points per game and shot 47 percent from the field. That kind of firepower added to Reggie Jackson (if he's healthy) could do some damage in the East.
The Jazz will do their best to keep their star forward, and as Jared Woodcox mentioned on Purple and Blues earlier this week. Leaving would be hard on Hayward as well.
According to Jack Magruder of FanRag Sports Network, Kobe Bryant mentored Hayward last summer. Bryant has worked with him on everything from fundamentals to breaking down tape. Bryant has made it clear that he is willing to work with anyone who wants to get better and wants the benefit of his expertise.
"I think his consistency and his efficiency offensively have really improved," Utah coach Quin Snyder said. "Passing the ball. Rebounding. He's become a better defender. That's kind of the unspoken thing in all of this, but he has really taken it upon himself on the wing, especially late in games. Those things defensively, efficiency. He is scoring other ways. He's shooting the ball off screens. He's always scored in pick-and-roll and hand-offs and on the move, but I think he is getting to the line more effectively and he has become a better catch-and-shoot player." Utah coach Quin Snyder told Jack Magruder of Sports Network.
Hayward is on the wish list for many teams this season. Realistically, the Boston Celtics look like they're in the best position to steal him away from the Jazz.
Who is on your veteran wish list? If money wasn't an issue, who would Detroit have to find a way to sign this summer? Let us know in the comments below.
More from Hoops Habit
This article originally appeared on 
