The Detroit Pistons have landed a new wing.
The team agreed to a two-year, $29 million contract with Michigan alumnus Caris LeVert, the Free Press has confirmed. According to a team source, the contract is fully guaranteed.
The 6-foot-6 wing bolsters the Pistons’ backcourt rotation a day after their initial plan — re-signing Malik Beasley — fell apart. They reportedly were going to sign Beasley to a 3-year, $42 million deal before news broke that he is under federal investigation in a gambling probe. With his status entering next season potentially in limbo, the Pistons instead turned to the open market.
LeVert averaged 12.1 points, 3.4 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game last season while shooting 46.7% overall and 36.7% from 3. He played four seasons at Michigan from 2012-16 and was the 20th pick of the 2016 draft. Last season he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks after spending the previous three years with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In Detroit might be joined by former teammate Tim Hardaway Jr., who is an unrestricted free agent.
LeVert brings a different look to the Pistons’ rotation. Unlike Beasley, he is not a high-volume shooter and has a career 34.5% mark on 3-pointers. But he’s a plus-playmaker who operates well at the rim and from midrange, and can take ball-handling pressure off of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.
The Pistons opened free agency by re-signing Paul Reed to a two-year, $11 million agreement. The Athletic reported that Pistons free agent point guard Dennis Schroder is heading to the Sacramento Kings.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pistons land U-M’s Caris LeVert on 2-year deal in first big splash
