Report: Pistons to pursue C.J. Miles in free agency
C.J. Miles' basketball services will be available in free agency this summer with the 30-year-old forward reportedly opting out of his contract with the Indiana Pacers.
One team looking to throw their name in the ring to sign him is the Detroit Pistons, as a person with firsthand knowledge said Miles will be on the Pistons' list of targets, according to The Detroit Free Press' Vincent Ellis.
The Pistons will be limited in what they could offer, with a potential non-taxpayer mid-level exception of $8.4 million - a decent raise over the $4.8-million player option Miles is turning down - perhaps being their best bet.
In a league where outside shooting is becoming a more prominent component of winning basketball, Detroit is behind the times in catching on to that trend. They finished 22nd in 3-point percentage in 2015-16 at 34.5 percent, and dropped even further to 28th at just 33 percent this season.
Miles would help in that regard. In 76 appearances for the Pacers, the 12-year veteran converted 41.3 percent of his attempts from the perimeter, good for 15th in the Association. It was also the first time he shot 40 percent or better from deep.
Guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Bullock will both become restricted free agents, with the Pistons' willingness to pursue Miles reportedly dependent on what happens with those two.
Detroit finished with a 37-45 record and no postseason berth, which is seven fewer victories than the year prior.