Important Detail of Chimezie Metu’s Contract With Pistons Revealed
Another 10-Day signee with the Detroit Pistons plans to stick around beyond the temporary timeline.
On Saturday, it was revealed that the Pistons’ recent acquisition Chimezie Metu will remain on board with the team as he signed a contract to keep him around for the next few weeks.
As expected, Metu’s contract with the Pistons will be a short-term deal, but there is a chance he could be back in Detroit for next season as his contract is a one-plus-one deal, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Metu has a team option for the 2024-2025 season attached to his deal. Therefore, the next stretch of games offers the veteran an opportunity to prove he could be useful for a young Detroit team next year.
Recently, Metu turned 27-years-old. The former second-round draft pick out of USC has proven to be a valuable backup big man in the league, playing for several teams over the span of six seasons.
Metu started his career with the San Antonio Spurs. After spending two seasons with the Spurs, Metu landed with the Sacramento Kings, where he made a name for himself.
During their 2021-2022 NBA season, Metu averaged a career-high 21 minutes per game with the Kings. During that stretch, he produced nine points per game, while coming down with six rebounds per game. After the 2022-2023 season, Metu joined the Phoenix Suns in free agency.
This year, Metu was moved by Phoenix in a three-team trade, which involved the Memphis Grizzlies and the Brooklyn Nets. Although he landed with the Grizzlies, Metu was waived the next day. He spent over a month on the free agency market before the Pistons came calling.
If the Pistons don’t retain Metu via option, he'll become an unrestricted free agent once again.
JUSTIN GRASSO