Detroit’s collection of prospects continues.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on the 22nd (hereinafter Korean time) that RJ Hampton will sign a contract with the Detroit Pistons after proceeding with a buyout with the Orlando Magic.
After being selected by Milwaukee with the 24th overall pick in the 2020 draft, Hampton, who spent his NBA debut season in Denver via trade, joined Orlando via trade mid-season. He immediately took a spot in the bench rotation and stood out by averaging 11.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 26 games in the new uniform.스포츠토토
But that was it. Orlando’s high-potential guard prospects slowly pushed Hampton out of competition.
Among Markel Fultz, the 1st overall pick in the 2017 draft, and Gary Harris, who traded with Hampton from Denver, Cole Anthony, who was selected ahead of Hampton in the 2020 draft, and Jaylen Suggs, the 5th overall pick in the 2021 draft, Hampton is steady. There was no way to secure the playing time.
After all, Hampton, who appeared in 26 games this season and played only 13.9 minutes on average, left Orlando to continue his NBA career in Detroit, a new land of opportunity.
Detroit needed vitality in the backcourt as main ball handler Cade Cunningham, who should be responsible for the future of the team, was out of the season early due to a calf injury.
Jayden Ivy, 5th overall in the 2022 rookie draft, is having a decent debut season with averages of 15.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists this season.
However, if Hampton quickly establishes himself as he is not satisfied with the performance of Killian Hayes, who is replacing Cunningham as a starter, there is also a chance to become the team’s new key prospect.