Can Michigan’s Derrick Walton Jr. impress Pistons during 10-day deal?

DETROIT -- There’s a new point guard in town for the Detroit Pistons. Former Michigan guard and Detroit native Derrick Walton Jr. signed a 10-day contract with the Pistons on Friday afternoon.

Walton returns to Detroit after a stint with the Los Angeles Clippers. He played 23 games with the Clippers, averaging 10 minutes per game. The second-year guard started the season with the Clippers G League affiliate, the Agua Caliente.

He originally joined the NBA after going undrafted in 2017 and signed to play with the Orlando Magic Summer League team before signing a two-way contract with the Miami Heat and its G League affiliate.

Before joining the Clippers, Walton got some experience playing in Latvia with Žalgiris Kaunas. He then had a short stint with Alba Berlin in Germany. Spending time away from home forced him to grow up because he didn’t have family close by to lean on.

“I don’t get rattled as much,” he said. “A lot of stuff don’t faze me. And what’s important is always important to me.”

He comes to the Pistons with a unique experience because unlike many players who sign 10-year deals, he has the comforts of home behind him. The 24-year-old grew up in Detroit and attended Chandler Park Academy, where his father was the head coach. The school retired his jersey on Thursday.

"I just felt weird for the first time today, getting out of my own bed and coming to a practice, " Walton said. “It’s like, surreal. But it’s a blessing.”

Walton chose to attend the University of Michigan where he played four years and helped take the Wolverines to the NCAA Tournament three times. He started in 125 games, averaging 11 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists. His final year with the Wolverines proved to be his best season, as the team reached the Sweet Sixteen and Walton was voted team MVP. He averaged 15.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

Walton took part in his first practice with the Pistons on Friday afternoon. He hasn’t had an opportunity to chat with many of his new teammates, but he said that the upcoming four-game road trip was a good opportunity to pick their brain.

For now though, he’s ready to prove himself and the Pistons have shared just a little with him about how he’ll fit into the mix of things.

“They like that I make shots,” Walton said. “They like that I make their players better, that I think about the game, and overall I’ve always been known as a good team guy, a great locker room guy.”

Should Walton be a good fit for Detroit, the Pistons could opt to sign him for another 10-day deal to continue evaluating or sign him for the rest of the season.

The Pistons are in action on Sunday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.