Dillon Brooks Rumors: Pistons Linked as Suitor for SF amid Reported Grizzlies Split

As Dillon Brooks prepares for his first foray into free agency, the Detroit Pistons could be a potential landing spot for the outspoken forward.

Per NBA reporter Marc Stein, the Pistons have been cited as a "team to watch" for Brooks this summer.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported earlier this week that the Memphis Grizzlies informed Brooks during their end-of-season exit meeting that they don't intend to sign him to a new contract after both sides determined a fresh start was in their best interest.

Brooks' tumultuous end to the season overshadowed a lot of the ways he had a positive impact for the Grizzlies on the court. He became the center of attention in the playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers for his actions involving LeBron James, including getting ejected from Game 3 for a flagrant-2 foul after hitting him in the groin and calling him "old" following Game 2.

It didn't help that Brooks was a liability on offense throughout the entire series. The 27-year-old only shot 31.2 percent from the field on 12.8 attempts per game. He went 10-of-42 from three-point range against the Lakers.

The Athletic's John Hollinger, who worked in the Grizzlies front office when Brooks was drafted in 2017, did spotlight some of the ways that he can make a positive impact on a team, most notably as an elite defensive player.

The Pistons could certainly use help on defense and a player with some swagger who believes he can compete with anyone in the NBA. They finished 28th in defensive rating this season and have ranked in the bottom 10 in points allowed per game in each of the past two years.

Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey are incredibly talented young players who they hope can develop into franchise cornerstones. They will likely add another high lottery pick to their roster this summer after finishing 17-65.

Adding Brooks for help on defense could be a steppingstone toward making the Pistons relevant in the Eastern Conference again. He might need the right head coach who can help manage some of his bad tendencies on the court.

The Pistons are still looking for a new coach after Dwane Casey stepped down to take a role in the front office at the end of the regular season.