In a free agent class headlined by superstars LeBron James and Caremlo Anthony, the Pistons were very aggressive on the first day of negotiations. The Pistons struck early, landing one of their primary targets in one of the first signings of the offseason. But, the Pistons crosshairs were aimed much lower than the majority of the league. The Pistons signed guard Jodie Meeks to a three-year contract that will pay $6.5 million annually, a considerable investment for a guy who could not have dreamed of securing so much guaranteed money just a year ago.
On a Lakers team missing the injured Kobe Bryant, Meeks took advantage of an opportunity to receive regular playing time. Meeks flourished in the spread, up-tempo Mike D’Antoni offense, and enjoyed what most would consider a late breakout year for the 26 year-old journeyman. Meeks averaged over 30 minutes per game for the first time in his career, and set career highs in points-per-game (15.7) and true shooting percentage (60.1%, good for tenth in the league among perimeter players logging over 1,500 minutes).
The Pistons’ addition of Jodie Meeks is unlikely to be a very significant move in the outlook of the franchise. Yet, I believe that the day-one pursuit of a middle-tier free agent in Jodie Meeks has Stan Van Gund’s name written all over it, and provides insight into what we may expect from a Van Gundy-led organization.
A BELIEF IN SUPPORTING THE FOUNDATION
From Van Gundy’s tenure as coach of both the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, we know that he is not tied to any particular offensive scheme. Van Gundy’s Heat teams ran a simple offense, normally consisting of just 1-2 passes per set, and centered on isolating his star players, Wade and Shaq. On the other hand, his Magic teams ran an early action motion offense, relying heavily on ball movement.
With his first move, Phil Jackson, this year’s other new coach-turned-president, made a move to bring in the best-shooting, smartest offensive point guard available in Jose Calderon to captain the triangle offense he religiously ascribes to. Unlike Phil, Van Gundy has exhibited the flexibility to adapt his offensive system to best fit his personnel as a coach. By signing Meeks, it appears that Van Gundy’s philosophy of trying to best support what is already in place has carried over to his role as president.
Jodie Meeks is a natural fit with the Pistons’ roster, and should make their key players more effective. The Pistons are shallow at the 2 and 3 positions, three-point shooting from the wing is critical to creating space for Detroit’s talented big men to score in the post and finish pick-and-rolls, and as a team the Pistons were second-to-last in three-point shooting percentage. As a shooting guard and three-point specialist (40.1% last year, 37.6% career), Meeks goes a long way toward addressing those concerns. Meeks complements Kyle Singler and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to form a coherent rotation at the 2 and the 3. Meeks and Singler provide strong outside shooting at the 2 and 3, respectively, that defenses must honor. Both can be played to create ideal spacing from the wings when the match-up calls for it. Pope is the strong perimeter defender of the trio, and with a 6-8 wingspan has the versatility to guard most wings. Pope does not have to be honored as an outside shooter like Meeks and Singler, at least not yet, but he will be the defensive ace of the rotation, and will be called on to stick with opposing wings who possess the ability to penetrate. The Pistons will not have the most talented group of wings, but Stan Van Gundy identified Meeks as a guy that would complete a rotation where he can put everyone in a role to succeed.
AN EMPHASIS ON MAKEUP
Stan Van Gundy talked about looking for a high-character guy with the draft pick they used to select Spencer Dinwiddie. Jodie Meeks has a similar appeal, having become a fan favorite and feel-good story in Los Angeles this past year for exhibiting many of the same traits.
Meeks has had to show resiliency in order to earn minutes throughout his career. In his first few years, he had to fight to make the roster and become a rotation player in Philadelphia. He then had to do so again, as a veteran without much of a track record in Los Angeles.
In addition to his shot-making ability, Meeks was trusted to play major minutes in Los Angeles because of his reliable shot selection, and for showing the capability to make the quick decisions with the basketball required by the D’Antoni offense. And despite having being knocked for his below average size and athleticism for an NBA guard, Meeks appears to take pride in his defense and has improved to be able to hold his own if not given too challenging of an assignment. He also has developed the savvy of picking his spots to attack the rim off the dribble, taking a career-high 29% of his field goal attempts within 3 feet of the basket (career 22%), and converting a career-best 68% of these attempts (career 62%).
A COMMITMENT TO ASSEMBLING THE BEST POSSIBLE TEAM, PERHAPS AT A COST
Meeks has rounded out his game, but while he is no longer a major liability in any dimension of the game, he is still on the court to be a three-point specialist. As a veteran at the age of 26, and with below-average size and athleticism, Meeks has pretty much reached his ceiling as a solid role player. Meeks does not have the versatility to become much of an asset defensively. Meeks also lacks the capacity to create much with the ball in his hands, limiting his ability to be a focal point on offense. His usage rate on a team lacking talent and running the wide-open D’Antoni offense was just 19.1%.
Here lies the risk of Jodie Meeks’s contract, and where I believe the risk of Coach Stan Van Gundy as team president lies as well. I am confident that Jodie Meeks will come in and fill the role that is expected of him. I also think that he is a very good fit with this current roster. But, the Pistons’ roster is still very fluid. Few believe that the roster, as stands today, is one of a championship contender. As the Pistons continue to shape this roster over the next year or two, perhaps upgrading their talent on the wings, Meeks could be relegated out of a significant role.
At $6.5 million per year, there is little upside in Meeks’s contract. I believe that the league’s best general managers, understanding that the Pistons are still a year or two away from contending, would be looking for the next Jodie Meeks, and trying to sign a small contract that could become an asset, rather than ensuring that the short-term needs of this team are met, and committing substantial money for the established player.
At the same time, I am excited to see what the Pistons’ young, talented players can do when surrounded by players that complement them, and put in a system to succeed.
Pistons Breakdown 