In case you missed it: Pistons sign Chris McCullough to training camp roster

Former 2015 NBA first round pick Chris McCullough has been added to the Detroit Pistons training camp roster. This news broke last weekend from James Edwards III.

The Pistons likely have interest in “stashing” McCullough in Grand Rapids with the Drive if there’s mutual interest in the coming weeks. Chris is an athletic power forward (6’11) and has a bit of NBA experience. Even with being in the 2015 NBA draft, he’s only 23 years old, having played just a single season of college ball at Syracuse (which was cut short because of a torn ACL).

Also, some relevant details via RealGM:

McCullough, 6-11, 200, has played in 59 career NBA games with the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards. Last season, he averaged 2.4 points and 1.3 rebounds in 19 games with Washington. He also averaged 11.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in 12 games in the NBA G League with the Erie Bayhawks, Northern Arizona Suns and Wisconsin Herd last season.

McCullough was drafted 29th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Brooklyn Nets.

Chris isn’t just an inside player. He showed ability to shoot the three ball during his rookie season with the Nets — draining 13-of-34, good for 38-percent. In 2016-17 while spending the bulk of his time in the G League, Chris also was a threat from downtown.

In the 2018 NBA Summer League, McCullough played with the Philadelphia 76ers. He had some excellent moments to go along with some less than stellar moments.

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Let’s take a look at some goodies from McCullough during Summer League (#43 in white):

Here’s dessert first — a flashy dunk for the fluid near seven-footer.

Chris is known as somewhat of a shot-blocker and definitely as a rim-runner — that fantastic length, too.

This clip is especially intriguing — it’s obvious to see why McCullough is still on the NBA radar.

Finally, I’ll say that there’s intrigue here with McCullough. His shooting mechanics are smooth and, as mentioned, he has three point range.

He’s #1 in white in these clips from the G League, when he put on a shooting clinic this particular game:

In the end, I see what there’s to like about McCullough. It’s a good pickup for training camp and if he performs in training camp / preseason and in the G League, there may be a roster spot for him not too long down the road. He’s still young enough and seems to have skills that should land him with an NBA team for a while.

Of course, this is just touching on some of the positive stuff. If Chris sticks around the organization long enough, we’ll spend more time critiquing his entire game. Let’s see.