The Pistons have re-signed swingman Rodney McGruder, per the NBA transactions log. The team has also officially signed free agent forward Kevin Knox.
McGruder received a one-year deal, James Edwards of The Athletic tweets, though the contractual terms are unclear. Detroit already had 15 players with guaranteed contracts on its roster before both signings, along with filling both of its two-way spots.
Knox reportedly received a two-year, $6MM deal. Detroit will have to clear roster space via a trade or eat some guaranteed money to get down to 15 by training camp — the most logical odd man out is Kemba Walker, who is still expected to be bought out by the Pistons, but if McGruder got a guaranteed contract, another move will be required.
McGruder, 31, has been on the Pistons’ roster for the last two seasons. He appeared in 51 games in 2021/22, including two starts, and averaged 5.4 PPG in 14.8 MPG. He’s a career 35.2% 3-point shooter but made 39.7% of his attempts last season.
Knox, the ninth pick of the 2018 draft, is a reclamation project. He had a productive first season with the Knicks but fell out of favor under coach Tom Thibodeau. He appeared in just 13 games with the Knicks last season before being dealt to Atlanta. In 17 games with the Hawks, Knox averaged just 6.5 MPG.
The Hawks did not tender a qualifying offer to Knox this summer, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Knox living off his draft status. No business giving him 3 mil a year
Knox has talent but once thibs got his hands on that team everything change. He still young enough to improve. So what wrong giving a cheap deal on a young guy
Thibs didn’t do anything to him. Thibs didn’t come along until his third year in the league, and he shot better and had better advanced stats under Thibs.
Knox is a G-league player who keeps swindling front offices out of a pay check.
Can’t figure Kevin Knox out. Good Kentucky pedigree. 6’7″. Averaged 12.8 points his first year at 19 years old & has been downhill ever since. Can’t even get minutes now at 22.
Weaver is overrated. Not a bad GM—middle of the pack I’d say—but he has more misses than you’d like in addition to his hits. A lot of that gets glossed over, though, when you tank for years and get nice assets in the process.
You are clearly not right in the head. Is there a reason you can’t see a GM that has been making incredible moves in the draft & signing reclamation projects at a huge discount. Half have done well & the other half are still a work in process or used in a trade. It’s laughable that you think he’s an average GM or middle of the pack. He’s made one miscalculation—drafting Hayes or Haliburton.
At this point they’re just resigning him to prove Draymond and Klay wrong.
Mostly because his father and Weaver are close friends.
Stons dropping some insider knowledge.
I have to see Bagley and Knox together on the court. That would make me very happy.
You must hate the Pistons then.
Surprised there werent other teams in on Mcgruder. Still multiple teams that could use his defense, shooting, and ability to put the ball on the floor on the wing. Always happy for him to get a roster/rotation spot. “The scavenger” is one of my all time favorite Heat discovery/reclamation/undrafted/development guys, which says a lot, and I also know I’m not the only Heat fan that feels that way
But but, Knicks fans said that Knox is a cornerstone player/will be traded with two second rounders for Giannis? What happened??
Glad to see Knox get another contract, which is not from the NYK. I wish him the best, but I doubt much comes of it. Got a great size/skill combination, but isn’t otherwise an NBA athlete. The former, with his HS rating, UK ship, family pedigree, etc., are at least giving him a good $$ start in life.