Justin Patton out of Pistons workouts after finger surgery

One of the most errr, only, intriguing storylines of the group workouts for the Detroit Pistons was the potential to evaluate Justin Patton, who was signed by the Pistons shortly after Troy Weaver was hired as the organization’s general manager.

Sadly, following an injury that required pinky surgery, Patton is no longer part of the Pistons workout bubble and Dwane Casey and the coaching staff won’t get a chance to see him up-close-and-personal and figure out if he should be part of the team’s plan next season as it begins a rebuild.

Patton, drafted 16th overall in 2017, spent nearly 30 games with the Thunder and its G League affiliate. It was assumed he would be battling Thon Maker for a potential spot as a backup center.

Maker is entering the final year of his rookie deal and there is no indication whether Detroit is interested in offering him a qualifying offer and letting him enter restricted free agency or if they would rather move on and he can be can unrestricted free agent.

Also leaving the Pistons bubble is Tony Snell, who is returning home for undisclosed personal reasons, and veteran Jordan McRae who is slated to become a free agent this offseason.