With about $30 million in cap space, the Detroit Pistons are expected to be big players when free agency begins this weekend.
Cam Johnson, Jerami Grant and Harrison Barnes, the top three wings available in this particular free agent class, should all be in Detroit’s price range. Whether or not the Pistons land any of these three will be known in time, but they will certainly pursue one or more of the three names above.
However, cap space does not have to be used in free agency. Detroit could choose to cut into its cap in part or all of it by trading. With teams trying to save money with the new collective bargaining agreement, the parity going on in the league and with the Pistons having flexibility, it wouldn’t be surprising if Detroit used the trade market in the coming weeks to refine and strengthen its roster.
So we’ll look at three trades — one realistic, kind of realistic and one unrealistic — that could make sense for the Pistons’ roster and goals for the upcoming season, depending on how big of a splash they want to make. .
Let’s get to it.
Trade Scenario #1: Realistic
Stamps receive: Joe Harris
Nets receive: Marvin Bagley III and a 2024 second-round pick (via Memphis or Washington)
Why are the Pistons making this move?
Yes, a deal like this would eat into Detroit’s cap space by about $7.4 million this summer, but Harris (owed $19.9 million this season), unlike Bagley (owed $12.5 million this season and next ), is on an expiring contract. The free pool is expected to improve next season.
Additionally, Detroit has some front court congestion and could use more depth and shooting on the wing. This fixes it.
The Pistons are giving up a second-round pick because Bagley is under contract for an extra year over Harris.
Why are the Nets making this move?
Outside of Nic Claxton, who will play this coming season on an expiring deal, Brooklyn lacks big bodies. The Nets currently have an abundance of wings on the roster and will likely look to move one of them this summer.
With Bagley, the Nets get a frontcourt player who can be a lob threat and score with his back to the basket, as well as some more depth.
Trade Scenario #2: Kind of realistic
Stamps receive: Tobias Harris
76ers receiver: Bojan Bogdanović, Marvin Bagley III, a 2024 second-round pick (via Memphis or Washington) and a 2025 second-round pick (via Golden State or Washington)
Why are the Pistons making this move?
In Detroit’s eyes, this would just be a Harris-Bogdanović trade. Bagley leaving frees up space in the Pistons’ frontcourt, the second-round pick wasn’t the Pistons’ originally, and Harris has an expiring deal.
Detroit, trying to turn a corner, would get an upgrade with Harris. If the Pistons get off to a slow start and are out of the playoffs before the trade deadline, they could flip Harris for assets. If all goes well, Detroit could try to re-sign Harris next summer, and if he doesn’t re-sign, the Pistons will have $39.2 million in cap space open next summer when free agency is more exciting.
Detroit would still have about $22 million in cap space this summer after this trade.
Why are the 76ers making this move?
Philadelphia’s perspective is why this is filed under “sort of realistic.” I’m not sure that’s enough for Harris, who is a good player, and his expiring deal.
But with Bogdanović, Philadelphia doesn’t lose any shooting and maintains secondary/tertiary shot creation. Bogdanović also has a contract that is only partially guaranteed for the 2024–25 season. So it can also be used as an expiring deal for the 76ers. Bagley would add frontcourt depth, size and offensive skills to a Philly team that could use it.
I would assume Philadelphia could get a better offer than this for Harris, but I’m not 100 percent sure.
The 76ers would also save about $7 million this season by making this particular trade.
Trade Scenario #3: Unrealistic
Stamps receive: Klay Thompson
Warriors receive: Bojan Bogdanović, Marvin Bagley III, Jordan Clarkson and Talen Horton-Tucker
Jazz receives: Jonathan Kuminga, Killian Hayes and Gary Payton III
Why are the Pistons making this move?
Ok, I told you there would be a weird one. This is it.
Essentially, the Pistons are replacing Thompson with Bogdanović for one season. Thompson is an all-around great shooter, and while his defense has slipped in recent years due to injuries and age, he’s still an upgrade over Bogdanović.
Detroit would still have about $26 million in cap space after this move.
Why are the Warriors making this move?
They probably don’t.
If Golden State traded Thompson, I’m not sure they would send him to a rebuilding situation in Detroit out of respect. However, the Warriors add four legitimate rotation players in this hypothetical deal, and Bogdanović’s shooting helps replace what they would lose in Thompson. Additionally, three of the four players the Warriors will acquire have expiring contracts (Bogdanović’s final year is partially guaranteed). Golden State could have some financial flexibility next summer — when better players hit free agency — and still be competitive this season.
Again, I don’t think the Warriors make this exact deal, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they did something similar.
Why is jazz taking this step?
Rebuilding Utah gets a chance to unlock Kuminga and Hayes.
Kuminga would add some athleticism to the Jazz’s roster, and it’s not like Utah has a ton of 6-foot-8 wings with upside. Hayes is a true point guard, and while he has struggled in the NBA as a scorer thus far, he can set up offense, distribute and play defense, which are three things the Jazz could use at this stage of their rebuild from the point guard. spot.
Utah would give up very little to allow two lottery picks from not too long ago a change of scenery.
(Photo by Joe Harris: Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE via Getty Images)