Grade the deal: Pistons re-sign center Joel Anthony to two-year deal
Joel Anthony has agreed to remain with the Detroit Pistons for the next two seasons, according to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.
The 6-foot-9 center will sign a two-year, $5 million contract, Ellis reports, with the second year of the deal not guaranteed.
According to the report, Anthony's "strong veteran presence" in the locker room led the Pistons to retain him. Detroit acquired Anthony in October, dealing guard Will Bynum to Boston in exchange.
Anthony, 32, has career averages of 2.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and one block per game. He was a member of Miami's title teams in 2012 and 2013.
The Pistons also signed free agent center Aron Baynes to back up Andre Drummond this off-season.
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Analysis: Detroit’s cap room won’t spend itself. Anthony can defend in space and block shots, though his vacant offensive game renders him unusable in some matchups and locked into the center position. The Pistons can live with that in a third-string player. It’s hard to see what value Anthony really adds to Detroit given the presence of two other strict centers (Andre Drummond and Aron Baynes) in the rotation, though his signing at this price isn’t all that much of a concern. Not optimal, but not all that damaging, either. — Rob Mahoney
