‘I think this is Adonis’ year’ to stick with Pistons

After going undrafted in 2013 and spending the last two years in the NBA Development League, former Memphis swingman Adonis Thomas believes that this is the year he’ll stick in the NBA.

Thomas, a D-League All-Star for the Detroit Pistons-affiliated Grand Rapids Drive last season, will sign a two-year partially guaranteed deal with the Pistons today, his agent, Travis King, told the Commercial Appeal.

Thomas, who averaged 8.6 points and 4 rebounds for the Pistons’ summer league team this month in Orlando, is one of five players who will be vying for two spots on the Pistons’ opening-day roster.

“I just think Adonis has put in enough work to make the team. I’ve spoken with (Pistons president/coach) Stan (Van Gundy) and (general manager) Jeff Bower a lot about him. They really like him,” King said. “They really like his work ethic. He’s got every opportunity to make the team. If there are five guys for two spots, I think this is Adonis’ year.

“He’s done the D-League thing for two years. He’s done all he can do there. Overseas is not an option. This is his year to make the league.”

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Thomas has dropped nearly 15 pounds this off-season, having worked out this spring with Memphis Tigers strength and conditioning coach Evarist Akujobi.

At Grand Rapids last season, he averaged 18.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and shot 36.8% from three-point range. As a D-League rookie in 2013-14 with the Springfield Armor, Thomas averaged 16.6 points, earning NBA D-League all-rookie first-team honors.

If he’s going to make it in the NBA, Thomas will have to continue to prove that he’s athletic enough and a consistent enough shooter to play shooting guard or small forward.

“It’s been a lot more playing on the wing, being able to make plays and do a lot more isolation and posting up. Being able to play more free, whereas a lot of people saw me playing the stretch four at Memphis and being able to have mismatch options for the team,” Thomas said.

“But this is more playing the two-guard, the three and being more involved on the perimeter.”

Free Press analysis: The Pistons have 18 players under contract, three over the league limit. With an overabundance of wing players, Thomas faces a long road to making the 15-man roster, but his contract likely will allow him to play in Grand Rapids next season, where he will be available in case a trade leaves the Pistons a body short.

Note: The Pistons signed first-round NBA draft pick Stanley Johnson today.