Run it Back or Upgrade?

[bstein14]

It's expected that the NBA will announce ALL-NBA teams next week sometime so that will give us a final determination on our cap space.

I'm guessing its most likely that we will having to pay Cade 30% of the cap starting out which is projected to be $155 so 30% of that is $46.5 million starting out.... it would be $38.75 million if Cade didn't make All-NBA. This $8 million difference I believe will be the difference between having the ability to have $26 million in cap space or just $18 million in cap space. If we do use cap space, we have to renounce all our FAs.... we could then use all $18 million in cap space and go beyond the salary cap with a room exception ($8.8 estimate) and then even the bi-annual exception as well which is about $5 million.

So if Beasley would take $8.8 and Schroeder $5 million and THJ the Vet minimum we could go back out there and sign someone like Naz Reid for $18 million and keep everyone. Obviously that's not very realistic at all.

[GreekAlex]

It's expected that the NBA will announce ALL-NBA teams next week sometime so that will give us a final determination on our cap space.

I'm guessing its most likely that we will having to pay Cade 30% of the cap starting out which is projected to be $155 so 30% of that is $46.5 million starting out.... it would be $38.75 million if Cade didn't make All-NBA. This $8 million difference I believe will be the difference between having the ability to have $26 million in cap space or just $18 million in cap space. If we do use cap space, we have to renounce all our FAs.... we could then use all $18 million in cap space and go beyond the salary cap with a room exception ($8.8 estimate) and then even the bi-annual exception as well which is about $5 million.

So if Beasley would take $8.8 and Schroeder $5 million and THJ the Vet minimum we could go back out there and sign someone like Naz Reid for $18 million and keep everyone. Obviously that's not very realistic at all.

Those numbers help put things in perspective.

I don’t want to overpay our vets but I don’t think we’ll get as much value trying to play the market with $18M and some exceptions.

[bstein14]

It's expected that the NBA will announce ALL-NBA teams next week sometime so that will give us a final determination on our cap space.

I'm guessing its most likely that we will having to pay Cade 30% of the cap starting out which is projected to be $155 so 30% of that is $46.5 million starting out.... it would be $38.75 million if Cade didn't make All-NBA. This $8 million difference I believe will be the difference between having the ability to have $26 million in cap space or just $18 million in cap space. If we do use cap space, we have to renounce all our FAs.... we could then use all $18 million in cap space and go beyond the salary cap with a room exception ($8.8 estimate) and then even the bi-annual exception as well which is about $5 million.

So if Beasley would take $8.8 and Schroeder $5 million and THJ the Vet minimum we could go back out there and sign someone like Naz Reid for $18 million and keep everyone. Obviously that's not very realistic at all.

Those numbers help put things in perspective.

I don’t want to overpay our vets but I don’t think we’ll get as much value trying to play the market with $18M and some exceptions.

$18 million cap space plus room exception and BAE if we want to go the route of having cap space but then no Beasley, THJ, or Schroeder.

Keep our guys and just resign them and never have cap space and then we get access to the MLE which is higher than the room exception. This seems like the best option unless there is something we really want with that $18 million cap space.

It's also pretty likely we'd have no problem trading our 2nd rounder plus Font into someone else's cap space if we wanted to create $25+ million for some reason, but once again I can't see why we'd want that much space at the moment.

[GreekAlex]

It's expected that the NBA will announce ALL-NBA teams next week sometime so that will give us a final determination on our cap space.

I'm guessing its most likely that we will having to pay Cade 30% of the cap starting out which is projected to be $155 so 30% of that is $46.5 million starting out.... it would be $38.75 million if Cade didn't make All-NBA. This $8 million difference I believe will be the difference between having the ability to have $26 million in cap space or just $18 million in cap space. If we do use cap space, we have to renounce all our FAs.... we could then use all $18 million in cap space and go beyond the salary cap with a room exception ($8.8 estimate) and then even the bi-annual exception as well which is about $5 million.

So if Beasley would take $8.8 and Schroeder $5 million and THJ the Vet minimum we could go back out there and sign someone like Naz Reid for $18 million and keep everyone. Obviously that's not very realistic at all.

Those numbers help put things in perspective.

I don’t want to overpay our vets but I don’t think we’ll get as much value trying to play the market with $18M and some exceptions.

$18 million cap space plus room exception and BAE if we want to go the route of having cap space but then no Beasley, THJ, or Schroeder.

Keep our guys and just resign them and never have cap space and then we get access to the MLE which is higher than the room exception. This seems like the best option unless there is something we really want with that $18 million cap space.

It's also pretty likely we'd have no problem trading our 2nd rounder plus Font into someone else's cap space if we wanted to create $25+ million for some reason, but once again I can't see why we'd want that much space at the moment.

I definitely think resigning our vets is the way to go.

If any opportunity arises at the deadline, it will allow us to have matching salary pieces.

I wouldn’t feel terrible about trading THJ & Schröder if a good fit became available.

That flexibility will be really valuable as well.

[BadMofoPimp]

This is the first time I truly enjoyed the Pistons in almost 20 years. The way Free Agents been getting money, would be extremely hard to get a top tier talent then be stuck with G-leagers off the bench because cannot afford better. I would rather have a full depth team of vets/young and run it back. Once the Pistons improve in the next 2 plus years be patient and find your next Sheeeed. Making a major move now would be more panic mode than team building.

As far as THJ, if he is kept at all, definitely for something small, but I would offer Malik the MLE and find a way to get Schroder $8-10 mil. Maybe package Fontecchio with some future 2nds for a better talent. If a real good PF becomes available, then Ivey and picks for a better fit.

[Rip32]

Beasley had an out of this world anomaly of a season. We cannot rely on him to repeat what he did in the regular season next year. Hopefully our young guys take another leap but I think we also need to go out and get more explosive talent.

I agree. I think this was a clear outlier season from him.

I absolutely do NOT want Jaren Jackson Jr. He has been ATROCIOUS every time he's been in the playoffs, cant rebound to save his life and is up for a super max extension assuming he makes all nba.

If he makes all nba then he's a damn good player

[pistons4ever]

Boston will try too shed salary

Simone and sasser for Holiday

Some picks (2 First and 2 Seconds)for the Most talented young forward (eason, sochan, Smith,Murray? In his rookie contract)

Beasley after free agency with the mle

Duren/Stew/Reed
New/Harris/Klintman
Thompson/Holland /picknr 37 of raptors
Ivey/Beasley
Cade/Holiday/Minimum veteran

Nice 10 men rotation

[Canadafan]

This was a fun run. Cade needs a legit #2 for us to move forward. I hope Ivey comes back to be good but you can't bet on that.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJIZ8fxx7ce/?igsh=MXhrcG5maWpuNzR6bA==

I have high hopes for Ivey after seeing this video of Hutch. Hutches injury was much worse than iveys

[Mr Peanut]

I think Trajan largely runs it back this offseason with small moves around the edges. If we don't make a jump next season and things are looking a bit stagnant coming up to the deadline, I can see him packaging expirings like Tobias/Fontecchio, 1-2 young guys and picks for a star.

[Canadafan]

I don't think its realistic at all for us to add a borderline all-star.

I think it's we either like the 3 FAs we have and we pay them, or we end up waiving their rights and go after someone else with our $25 million of cap space and then maybe bring back one of those guys with the room exception and maybe even one at the vet min.

Soooo, we try to poach Naz Reid with our $25mill
And hope Shröder takes our $7mil exception
Beasley wants to get paid more so we'd lose him. Sasser and Shröder backing up Ivey and Cade.
Orrrrr, we sign Shröder and Beasley with our $25mil since they both want more than the $7mil. Then give the $7mil to Hardaway. Then make a trade before the deadline

[Canadafan]

I think signing Naz Reid is in the cards. He can play the 4 and is very switchable. He also makes Duren expendable if there is an upgrade somewhere else to be had

Naz Reid has a Player Option for $14M

How do we pay him $20M+ w/o cap space?

If we only intend to bring back Malik, I’m pretty sure we can pay him the MLE and give Reid 20-25million

Maybe I'm the only one not understanding the cap situation buttttt I though we either have roughly 25mil cap space plus the non-tax exception (exemption? Lol) of roughly 7mil.
-or-
The MLE of roughly $15mil and cap holds/rights? of THJR Shröder Beasley or somethin like that

[Canadafan]

[/b] If we do use cap space, we have to renounce all our FAs.... we could then use all $18 million in cap space and go beyond the salary cap with a room exception ($8.8 estimate) and then even the bi-annual exception as well which is about $5 million.

So if Beasley would take $8.8 and Schroeder $5 million and THJ the Vet minimum we could go back out there and sign someone like Naz Reid for $18 million and keep everyone. Obviously that's not very realistic at all.

Ok, so last time I'll ask(hopefully)
What's the alternative to the above situation?
We don't renounce our free agents?
So can we keep them on any type of contract? And then have the roughly $15MLE after that?

You said"$18 million cap space plus room exception and BAE if we want to go the route of having cap space but then no Beasley, THJ, or Schroeder."
If we go cap space route, that means we can't re-sign our 3 vets? Because in another post you said we can use our cap space to sign them. Very confused. I blame the Canadian school system

[Canadafan]

I definitely think resigning our vets is the way to go.

If any opportunity arises at the deadline, it will allow us to have matching salary pieces.

I wouldn’t feel terrible about trading THJ & Schröder if a good fit became available.

That flexibility will be really valuable as well.

This is my hope as well. We run it back with same guys and then have lots of options to bring in a future piece to add to our core4 of Cade Ivey Ausar Duren

Shröder Tobias Beasley THJr will all be on short term deals and together with draft picks could bring in somethin nice

[Canadafan]

https://www.theringer.com/2025/05/02/nba/detroit-pistons-nba-trade-rumors-playoffs-2025

[tmorgan]

https://www.theringer.com/2025/05/02/nba/detroit-pistons-nba-trade-rumors-playoffs-2025

Spot on, I think. Don’t get crazy.

[catari11]

spot on to a point. the author makes at least one astute observation: "Sure, the Pistons could use a modern, offensively versatile big man to complement Duren and Stewart, as well as more outside shooting." This is the key takeaway point. Langdon doesn't have to be impulsive or act irrationally but if he can succeed to addressing either or both of these missing elements this summer. Pistons will take a big leap forward.

[Canadafan]

spot on to a point. the author makes at least one astute observation: "Sure, the Pistons could use a modern, offensively versatile big man to complement Duren and Stewart, as well as more outside shooting." This is the key takeaway point. Langdon doesn't have to be impulsive or act irrationally but if he can succeed to addressing either or both of these missing elements this summer. Pistons will take a big leap forward.

Who though, is the big question
Markkanen? Sabonis? Bam?
With Duren and Stew manning center, who best fits in at PF?

[MotownMadness]

spot on to a point. the author makes at least one astute observation: "Sure, the Pistons could use a modern, offensively versatile big man to complement Duren and Stewart, as well as more outside shooting." This is the key takeaway point. Langdon doesn't have to be impulsive or act irrationally but if he can succeed to addressing either or both of these missing elements this summer. Pistons will take a big leap forward.

Who though, is the big question
Markkanen? Sabonis? Bam?
With Duren and Stew manning center, who best fits in at PF?

I would like to know what kind of price it takes for Lauri.

Dude looks bad right now on that contract but he was putting up legit All Star numbers the prior year.

[bstein14]

Teams that are likely going to try to shed salary IMO.

#1 Phoenix, highest payroll and in the lottery. KD trade could end up taking care of a lot of this. I wonder what KD's market is going to be.

#2 Minnesota... especially if they don't make it to the conference Finals.... could be a smaller dump off of vet PG Mike Conley or a bigger move away from someone like Julius Randle.

#3 Bucks have a massive payroll as well for a quick first round exit team and they have a Giannis decision to make that really effects everything.

#4. Cleveland is going to be way into the tax and they have their 6th man to give a bigger deal to this summer. Okoro for Font might make a lot of sense for both teams. I could see Cleveland paying a bunch of tax if they can make it to the Finals though.

#5. Denver is $12 million into the tax before adding anyone. They almost can't be too cheap though because they've already let other guys walk (KCP, Bruce Brown, etc) from the championship roster to save money and its really cost them. It's hard for them to cut salary though unless they end up moving off of MPjr who makes $35+ million.

#6 Orlando is already into luxury tax with the Suggs and Franz extensions starting next year and then you know Banchero is going to be going hard to his extension turns into a 30% for being all-nba next year... Not a ton of moving parts would most likely be a KCP trade into a smaller contract to get out of the luxury tax IMO or perhaps a trade of

[Canadafan]

^^^^I feel like Phoenix will have a hard time getting much for KD. Everyone expects that to be the trade but can't see it being much of a needle mover. Beal won't go anywhere with his trade clause so they should deal Booker for a boat load of assets. Start it over and for short term just build something around remaining 2 yrs of KD and Beal
Minny night get cheap and have a hard time keeping Naz. I'm sure they'll figure it out though
Bucks would be insane to trade Giannis. Might have no choice though.
Okoro doesn't excite me too much anymore but if we could get.him for basically nothing I'd do it. He's an upgrade to Hardaway
PorterJr, if we could count on his health, would be a nice upgrade to Tobias.