Pistons announce Meeks signing

Jul 14, 2014 - 8:04 PM Auburn Hills, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - The Detroit Pistons introduced guard Jodie Meeks, one of the team's free-agent additions this offseason, during a press conference held Monday at the team's facility.

Meeks, who averaged a career-best 15.7 points in 77 games for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, agreed to a multi-year deal that previous reports stated to be for three years and worth $19 million, prior to the official start of the NBA's signing period.

The five-year veteran emerged as one of the league's top outside shooters in 2013-14, making good on 162-of-404 tries (40.1 percent) from 3-point range and hitting on 46.3 percent of his overall attempts from the field. Meeks' season was highlighted by a 42-point effort in a Lakers' win over Oklahoma City on March 9.

"We're pleased to welcome Jodie Meeks to the Pistons organization," said Pistons general manager Jeff Bower. "Jodie's approach to the game fits the style of basketball we want to play and his ability to shoot the ball from the outside is a skill that will help our team moving forward."

New Detroit head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy has made finding perimeter players a priority this offseason, with the Pistons also reportedly reaching deals with veteran small forward Caron Butler and point guard D.J. Augustin that have yet to be formally announced.

The Pistons shot just 32.1 percent from beyond the arc during last year's 29-53 campaign, with only Philadelphia having a lower success rate.