Detroit Pistons: Training Camp Invitees Most Likely Won’t Make Team

By Fuad Shalhout @shalhoutf on September 26, 2014

The Detroit Pistons have signed center Hasheem Thabeet, power forward Brian Cook, guard Lorenzo Brown and guard Josh Bostic to their training camp roster. But can any one of them legitimately make the roster? The Pistons have 16 guaranteed contracts as of now, and the limit is 15.

Thabeet was drafted second overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies and has played with five different teams. He’s widely regarded as one of the biggest busts in league history.

Cook, a nine-year NBA veteran, has played with the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards. He hasn’t been in the league the last couple years due to his wife battling an illness, but was also on Detroit’s Summer League squad over the summer.

Brown was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 2013 draft out of North Carolina State. He didn’t play much and is looking for another opportunity.

Bostic played last season for the Elan Chalon of the French League and averaged 7.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 10 games.

Despite these invites, it’s a long shot that any of them will make the final roster. The guy that most likely has the best chance of making the team is Cook, for two reasons:

1. He’ll  provide a veteran presence
2. He played under Stan Van Gundy in Orlando and he’s a stretch power forward, something that Van Gundy loves.

Other than that, these four guys are signed solely to provide extra bodies in practices during training camp. I’ll be surprised if any of them make the roster.

Fuad Shalhout is a Detroit Pistons writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google