Pistons add big man Chimezie Metu on 10-day contract

Detroit — The Pistons are using their final roster spot to take a flier on another veteran big man.

Detroit has signed Chimezie Metu to a 10-day contract, the team announced on Wednesday. The 6-foot-9 center will join the team to provide short-term frontcourt depth in the wake of recent injuries to Isaiah Stewart and Taj Gibson.

Pistons coach Monty Williams was aware of Metu's tenure with the Sacramento Kings and he's seen film of his recent tenure with the Phoenix Suns.

"I just asked him, 'What is it with you?'" Williams said during his pregame press conference on Wednesday. "I can be a little direct with those kinds of questions, but I was like, 'You're talented. You have a skillset that certainly fits the NBA,' and I'm interested to see. I do think it's an opportunity for him because I do think he can play a small (center). I think he can play a big (power forward), just from the skillset."

Metu has played five seasons in the NBA and has appeared in 246 games for the San Antonio Spurs, Kings, and the Suns. He was selected with the 49th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, just after the Pistons selected current Toronto Raptors guard Bruce Brown with the 42nd pick in that draft.

He holds career averages of 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game. Metu averaged five points and three rebounds in 37 games for the Suns this season, which included five starts.

Metu's 10-day deal will give him an opportunity to appear in six games for the Pistons. Detroit will have a three-game homestand this week with games against the Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans before embarking on a three-game road trip in New York, Minnesota and Washington.

Stewart suffered a right hamstring strain in the second quarter of Monday's lopsided loss to the Boston Celtics. Gibson, a former 10-day signee who recently signed a rest-of-the-season contract with the Pistons, also fell victim to injury in the same game. He's currently listed as questionable for Wednesday's home game against the Indiana Pacers due to right hamstring soreness.

Metu, a native of Los Angeles, attended the University of Southern California from 2015-18. He was named First-Team All-Pac-12 as a junior and earned Most Improved Player and Second-Team All-Pac 12 honors as a sophomore in 2017.

"I don't know him that well, but I know we wouldn't bring anybody in that we didn't think could fit how we play," Williams said. "I think it's an opportunity for him to get out there. I just gotta use him the right way so he can be successful. That can be a challenge at times, but I've watched him since he's come into the league, just being in the west."

mcurtis@detroitnews.com

@MikeACurtis2