Pistons GM Troy Weaver said he wanted to keep Marvin Bagley III in the fold. He wasn't kidding.
Detroit re-signed the big man to a three-year, $37 million deal about an hour into free agency Thursday evening, according to Chris Haynes.
It's tied for the second biggest contract Weaver has handed out in his time as Pistons GM; he gave Kelly Olynyk the same deal last year.
Bagley arrived in Detroit at the trade deadline last season, labeled a bust after an underwhelming stint with the Kings who had drafted him second overall in 2018. But he thrived in a bigger role with the Pistons and showed instant chemistry with point guards Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes.
"He got an opportunity to showcase himself, but more importantly, he gave us something we didn’t have that was much-needed: a front-court athlete that could rebound and could score at the basket," Weaver said in May. "That was very noticeable when he joined the ball club.
"We’re excited to have the skillset, but the person, he’s a great individual, he fits in the locker room and the guys love having him on the team."
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In 18 games (8 starts) with the Pistons, Bagley averaged 14.6 points and 6.8 rebounds and shot a career-high 55.5 percent from the field. He gave the team a scoring threat in the paint whenever he was on the floor. And his chemistry with Cunningham and Hayes gave the offense a new dynamic.
"I haven’t had that on my team in a minute, guys who can throw lobs and create like that," Bagley said toward the end of the season. "Playing with both of them and just getting to the open spots and presenting yourself so they can throw it up and you just go up and get it, it's been fun so far. "It’s just exciting to be out there doing it."
With Bagley's return, the Pistons have a crowded frontcourt. Isaiah Stewart returns for his third season, Olynyk is under contract for another two years and 13th overall pick Jalen Duren just arrived. That could spell a trade in the near future, with Olynyk the odd man out.
But for now, Weaver is happy to have Bagley back. And Bagley is more than happy to stay.
"I’m telling you, this team is going to be great," he said. "We got a lot of great pieces and I’m excited to be here, be a part of it, just building something with this team."
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