Pistons ink Michael Gbinije to three-year deal

Michael Gbinije signed a three-year contract with the Detroit Pistons, the team disclosed Thursday via press release.

Gbinije was the 49th overall pick in the NBA Draft and played just one game for the Pistons before a sprained ankle sidelined him for the duration of the Orlando Summer League.

While the Pistons didn't get to see much of him in Orlando it did not put his future with the Pistons in doubt. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, a three-year deal would allow Detroit to obtain Gbinije's Bird rights at the conclusion of his contract. Full Bird rights allow teams to go over the salary cap to retain their own players who have been on the team for at least three years.

The Pistons were intrigued by Gbinije's versatility coming out of Syracuse. The 24-year-old played point guard for the Orangemen last season and projects to play both shooting guard and small forward as well in the pros.

Gbinije will also have the opportunity to play for Nigeria in the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

With Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith locking down the point guard position and a crowded batch of wings that includes Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Reggie Bullock, Darrun Hilliard, Stanley Johnson Marcus Morris and Tobias Harris, it is unlikely that Gbinije will get much playing time in Detroit during his rookie season.

It would not be surprising to see him develop this year with an eye toward seasoning his professional point guard skills with the Grand Rapids Drive in the NBA Development League.