#2: Anthony Tolliver
Anthony Tolliver has been at his best when he has been on the Detroit Pistons during his journeyman career. He is also likely available now due to the Minnesota Timberwolves’ reported trade of Jimmy Butler in which they got Dario Saric and Robert Covington.
Saric likely slots in at the starting power forward spot next to Karl Anthony-Towns, which would move Taj Gibson to the bench. Tom Thibodeau rarely plays more than nine players in his rotation, so that means he isn’t going to play three power forwards. That means that Anthony Tolliver is likely out of the rotation.
Due to being signed in the offseason, Tolliver wouldn’t be able to be traded until December 21, but whenever that day comes, the Pistons should make a call. Tolliver is a very solid backup stretch 4 who is a career 37.7 percent shooter from the perimeter and plays solid defense for being a bit undersized. He is shooting 41.7 percent from beyond the arc this season after shooting a career-high 43.6 percent last season with the Detroit Pistons.
Tolliver is familiar with a lot of the players on the team still, so he would be able to fit in seamlessly with the team, and he also fits well with Dwane Casey’s offense that emphasizes three-point shooting. Tolliver is shooting 88.9 percent of his shots from three-point range this year, according to Basketball-Reference.
The Pistons also don’t currently use a backup power forward, as they use Stanley Johnson and Glenn Robinson III there while playing a lot of three-guard lineups. This is because Dwane Casey wants to play fast, but it is also because the Pistons don’t really have a reliable backup 4 on their roster. They declined Henry Ellenson‘s option because they have lost faith in him and Jon Leuer has not had a good return from his injury, as he still doesn’t look completely healthy.
Tolliver is another player that likely doesn’t have a high asking price due to being on a one-year contract and seemingly being out of the rotation now. He also never really generates a ton of interest around the league for whatever reason even though he is a solid player, so there won’t be a ton of competition for his services.
The Pistons could right their wrong of the offseason by letting Tolliver go and make a trade for the veteran forward.
Next Up: Target #3
