Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
One of the big unknowns of the Detroit Pistons during the offseason is if reserve guard Will Bynum will be returning to the organization. Bynum becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and he has indicated the Pistons want him back, but it’s up for him to decide.
The hiring this week of Mo Cheeks as the new Pistons coach was praised by various players, including Bynum. Whether or not it encourages him to stay with the Pistons remains to be seen. It depends on what other offers Bynum receives from other teams.
If Cheeks can convince Bynum to stay, the Pistons would be a better team. He’s the ideal first guard from off the bench and it would be tough to imagine how the team is going to replace him.
He’s had six NBA seasons and the past one was one of his best.
Bynum played 65 games and averaged 18.8 minutes, 9.8 points, 3.6 assists and 1.5 rebounds a game. He improved from his career totals of 18.5 minutes, 8.1 points and 3.2 assists a game. But basically, Bynum has been steady each season. He’ll be able to give his team whatever contributions are needed.
He saved his best for last for the 2012-13 campaign in the last game of the season against the Brooklyn Nets. He was 7-of-10 from the floor and 9-of-11 from the free-throw line for 23 points. Two days earlier, he was 8-of-13 from the floor, 2-of-3 in 3-pointers and 4-of-4 from the line for 22 points and six assists.
He’s done enough things for the Pistons that Cheeks may want to personally contact Bynum and ask him to stay.
