Pistons signing former second-rounder for rest of season

The Pistons are signing forward/center Chimezie Metu for the rest of the season, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Wojnarowski adds that Metu’s deal includes a team option for the 2024-25 season.

Metu recently completed a 10-day contract with Detroit, appearing in six games and making two starts. In those six games, he averaged 7.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 26.0 minutes.

Metu began the year on the Suns after signing there in the offseason but was traded at the deadline to the Grizzlies as part of the three-team deal that sent Royce O’Neale to Phoenix. He didn’t appear in a game in Memphis before being waived. Metu is averaging 5.4 points and 3.2 rebounds on the season in 43 games (seven starts).

The USC product was drafted with the 49th overall pick in the 2018 draft by the Spurs. He played there for two seasons before spending the next three with the Kings. He averages 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds for his career with his best statistical season coming in 2021-22 when he averaged 8.9 points and 5.6 rebounds while making 20 starts for Sacramento.