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The Detroit Pistons signed Adonis Thomas, who played last season for the team's D-League affiliate the Grand Rapids Drive, to a two-year partially guaranteed contract. Here's the full press release:
The Detroit Pistons announced today that the team has signed guard/forward Adonis Thomas. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Thomas, 6-7, 240, spent last season with the Grand Rapids Drive, the Pistons' NBA Development League affiliate, where he averaged a team-high 18.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.6 assist and 36.0 minutes in 51 games. In two seasons in the D-League, Thomas averaged 18.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 85 games with Grand Rapids and the Springfield Armor. He's seen action in six career NBA games with Orlando and Philadelphia during the 2013-14 season and averaged 2.3 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists.
A native of Memphis, TN., Thomas played collegiately at the University of Memphis and averaged 10.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in two seasons with the Tigers. As a sophomore, he averaged 11.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 36 games and was named to the 2013 All-Conference USA third team. Thomas was a member of the 2010 USA Basketball U17 gold medal World Championship Team and the 2009 USA U16 National Team that captured gold at the FIBA Americas championship.
The deal comes as a bit of a surprise, as last week Stan Van Gundy indicated that Thomas would be battling with Danny Granger, Darrun Hilliard, Reggie Bullock, and Cartier Martin for the final two roster slots. Hilliard seemed to be one favorite for winning one of the final spots as the Pistons front office seemed quite high on him as their second round pick in the 2015 Draft.
Thomas seems to have some fans in the organization. He was a bit lackluster with the Pistons in the Summer League but played very well for the Drive last season, averaging 19 points and 5 assists. He shot 37 percent from three, as strong three point shooting is always a priority for Van Gundy's wings.
At just 22 years old, he gives the Pistons another young developing player with promise. With two years of D-League experience, Thomas should be ready to compete for a rotation spot - though he faces a tough climb to break into the Pistons'.
The roster currently stands at 18, which may leave Martin, Bullock, and Granger as the odd men out.