What Can the Detroit Pistons Do with Their Cap Space?
The Detroit Pistons have positioned themselves to have a plethora of cap space for the remainder of the 2022 offseason. The Pistons entered the offseason with a relatively cheap payroll but have taken steps to become even more flexible.
Before we speculate about Piston’s future, let’s look at how much money the Pistons will have. According to Spotrac, Detroit entered this offseason about $5 million over the cap, however, Marvin Bagley has a $28 million cap hold. Essentially, that means Detroit has $23 million in cap space. After trading Jerami Grant to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Pistons freed up about $20 million in cap space as they only received picks in return. In total that puts the Pistons at $43 million. After trading for Jalen Duren, the available cap will drop to $39 million.
The actual amount of cap space the Pistons will have is not yet known. It will depend on Kemba Walker’s buyout and four different team options that total up to a little over $12 million. At a minimum, the Pistons will have $30 million to spend. That occurs if they have to pay Walker’s full $9 million salary and they accept all their team options. If the inverse happens the Pistons could have over $50 million. Expect something in the middle of those figures.
Now, let’s take a look at what the Pistons can do with that cap space.
Deandre Ayton, C, Phoenix Suns
Reports have suggested that the Detroit Pistons are expected to make a run at Phoenix Suns center and restricted free agent Deandre Ayton with their plethora of cap space. However, there could be a wrench in those plans after the 2022 NBA Draft. After adding Duren, the Pistons may no longer be interested in adding another big man. Duren could come in and start, with Isaiah Stewart coming off the bench. A roster that includes Ayton, Duren, Stewart, Bagley, and Kelly Olynyk would create serious rotation struggles in the frontcourt. In theory, the Pistons bring Duren off the bench and give Stewart more minutes at the four, but still, that seems like a struggle. You could let Bagley walk, but then the only true four of the group would be Olynyk. Unless the Pistons send one of these players to the Suns in a sign-and-trade they will have some difficult issues with roster construction.
If the Pistons do attempt to pursue Ayton, they will have the ability to do so. The Pistons may be the only team willing and able to offer Ayton a max contract. If the Suns truly do not want to sign Ayton to a max contract, they would struggle to match this offer. For the Pistons, a lineup that includes Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Saddiq Bey, and Ayton would be one of the best lineups of the last decade.
Miles Bridges, F, Charlotte Hornets
If the Detroit Pistons were to send a team out today, power forward would be the weakest spot amongst the starters. If Detroit wants to change that, they could sign Charlotte Hornets forward and restricted free agent Miles Bridges. The contract situation with Bridges is interesting. The Hornets could match any offer sheet for Bridges but there are reports that they would be hesitant to offer him a max. Bridges’ contract situation will be one to watch as this may become a cat-and-mouse game between the Hornets and bidding teams.
Bridges, as Flint, Michigan native, could very well be interested in returning to his home state and playing for Detroit. Adding Bridges could create a deadly lineup of Cunningham, Ivey, Bey, Bridges, and Duren. Plus, Killian Hayes and Isaiah Stewart would come off the bench. I do not know how many games that team wins but I know it would be a fun team to watch.
Marvin Bagley, PF, Detroit Pistons
Marvin Bagley will likely be in a Pistons uniform next season. After his acquisition at the tail end of last season, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft had one of the best stretches of his career as he averaged 14.6 points while shooting 55% from the field. In Detroit, Bagley could either serve as the starting four or come off the bench depending on what other free agents are signed. Either way, Bagley will be a high priority for the Pistons in free agency.
Due to Bagley’s $28 million cap hold the Pistons will likely look to figure out his contract situation quickly. That will allow the Pistons to pursue other free agents without having to renounce Bagley’s rights. It is tough to tell what a Bagley contract will look like as he is only 23, but he has not performed up to expectations at this point in his career. It is hard to imagine Bagley lands a deal large enough to prevent the Pistons from adding one of the other big names listed.
Several players on short, cheap contracts
It is a very real possibility that the Pistons do not land Ayton or Bridges. They may not even attempt to add Ayton and Charlotte could match an offer sheet for Bridges. If this happens, the Pistons’ will likely look to strengthen their bench with players on short, inexpensive deals. The bench unit in Detroit is weak and could desperately use help at the wing. Ideally, the Pistons would probably look to sign players to one- or two-year deals to ensure future cap flexibility.
The biggest additions to the bench would be players on the wing that shoot the three well. I will not go in-depth on each player, but I will provide a list of possible options.
Possible options: Victor Oladipo, Donte DiVincenzo, Malik Monk, Gary Harris, Bryn Forbes, and Joe Ingles
Trade for future assets
The Pistons may look to avoid free agency altogether and trade for players on bad contracts as they collect future draft capital. There are many teams out there that need to ship a player or two out of town to open up salary cap that could result in a big named free agent. Pistons GM Troy Weaver proved he was willing to do this as they received Kemba Walker from the Knicks to snag Jalen Duren. Once again, the Pistons would likely be hesitant to eat any contract that is longer than a year or two years. This may not be the most appealing option but Weaver has performed well in drafts up to this date so it could be effective.
