What is our cap space worth?

[theBigLip]

Trade deadline coming up. We are in a good position to be facilitators for hard capped teams. We have $14M in space plus an exception(s)? (If someone knows the details, please add)

So what are our expectations? Are we getting 2nds? A FRP? A rotation player?

[Snakebites]

I think we'll get a rotation player. If it's a player on a neutral or slightly positive contract we'll give up seconds.

If it's a player on a negative contract (ala THJ) we'll get seconds in the deal.

We won't get a first rounder for it, and I don't think we're going to add a major or long term piece either. Hopefully we'll add a playmaker who can bring some stability.

Overall our expectations should be relatively modest. I don't think we can turn it into serious value and I'd be happy to just add someone who can make us a bit better for the rest of the year. I'd love it if we somehow made out like bandits though.

[VicVinegar]

I think they could get a 1st for a negative contract. Pistons have $14M in cap space, next closest is Utah with -$3M., (although about $12M in exemptions) If a team needs to shed salary to make a deal, Pistons are really the only choice. Because of that I think a 1st for an expiring contract is still possible, but it would be full of conditions (Top X Protected, least favorable of multiple picks, 2030 or later, etc.) If a team is going for it, I imagine a late, condition filled 1st round pick wouldn't be a deal breaker for them. In honestly, late firsts just aren't really worth much. We just saw a team trade 3 late firsts for one first round pick. Hell Pistons fans weren't even excited with the fifth overall pick last year. Odds are like 5% a player drafted 25-30 becomes a star. Teams don't (or at least shouldn't) value late firsts that much. I think that's why you see a bunch of trades around multiple second rounders. Teams would rather just have multiple chances when the odds are so low anyway.

[zeebneeb]

If a team really wants to get a deal done, they'll almost have to come through Detroit, and if its a big one, its gonna cost a first.

Detroit has, if memory serves, 8 second round picks tucked away, so it could be a weird one like Pistons take salary, send out a few seconds, and get a first.

[LaSheed]

Hopefully more than what Weaver sold it for.

[Drwho17]

Yes, it will be interesting to see, one of the things I always thought about with Weaver was that he didn't really do a good job of gathering assets via working the salary cap, was it a problem specific to him or in regards to the NBA in general.I'd feel much better about making the playoffs this year, if the Pistons didn't have to sit out the first round.

[the_l_train]

Preparing for a boring Harrison Barnes/Pat Connaughton move. Just get a ball handler, please God.

[GreekAlex]

Preparing for a boring Harrison Barnes/Pat Connaughton move. Just get a ball handler, please God.

If we can turn Fontecchio into Harrison Barnes, I think that’s a big win.

I’d like to add a ball handler as well. What are the top targets that won’t require a first round pick?

Is Coby White or Dennis Schroeder available?

[the_l_train]

Preparing for a boring Harrison Barnes/Pat Connaughton move. Just get a ball handler, please God.

If we can turn Fontecchio into Harrison Barnes, I think that’s a big win.

I’d like to add a ball handler as well. What are the top targets that won’t require a first round pick?

Is Coby White or Dennis Schroeder available?

I sound like a broken record here....but Jordan Clarkston and Dalano Banton are my 2 targets that I think could be had for relatively cheap. Figure Coby is out of our price range, but maybe Ayo Donsunmu could be had. Jevon Carter is the most gettable guard from Chicago.

Schroder has been playing rough for GS and I think he is an option as well.

Scary Terry is getting investigated for a betting scheme....could probably be had for REAL cheap right now (joking here but maybe he is innocent): https://nypost.com/2025/01/30/betting/terry-rozier-under-federal-investigation-in-connection-to-illegal-betting-scheme/

Lonzo and Ben Simmons names have been thrown around. I would pass on Malcolm Brogdon.

I know Grizz fans are fed up with Marcus Smarts injuries. I'd take him in a heartbeat.

Maybe we can swoop in on a Houston deal and get Aaron Holiday.

[theBigLip]

First I heard that about Rozier. Hard to imagine him being directly involved considering how much he gets paid.

And just as I say that it ends up on the RGM wire.

[Canadafan]

Preparing for a boring Harrison Barnes/Pat Connaughton move. Just get a ball handler, please God.

If we can turn Fontecchio into Harrison Barnes, I think that’s a big win.

I’d like to add a ball handler as well. What are the top targets that won’t require a first round pick?

Is Coby White or Dennis Schroeder available?

Maybe just sign Fultz or another free agent at that point

[the_l_train]

With the Kings about to blow it up, curious what it would take to get Derozan.

[GreekAlex]

Preparing for a boring Harrison Barnes/Pat Connaughton move. Just get a ball handler, please God.

If we can turn Fontecchio into Harrison Barnes, I think that’s a big win.

I’d like to add a ball handler as well. What are the top targets that won’t require a first round pick?

Is Coby White or Dennis Schroeder available?

Maybe just sign Fultz or another free agent at that point

He might not be the worst option but I’m waiting until the deadline passes before committing any cap space.

[Canadafan]

If we can turn Fontecchio into Harrison Barnes, I think that’s a big win.

I’d like to add a ball handler as well. What are the top targets that won’t require a first round pick?

Is Coby White or Dennis Schroeder available?

Maybe just sign Fultz or another free agent at that point

He might not be the worst option but I’m waiting until the deadline passes before committing any cap space.

Ya,was thinking once we're done exhausting most of our cap space, him or Payton could be signed.

[Mr Peanut]

I'm still hoping for Collin Sexton as he'd fill a big need this season for the playoff push and also be a great sixth man next year once Ivey is back. Fontecchio, Sasser and either the TOR 2025 second or two future weaker seconds.

[coordinator0]

I think we'll get a rotation player. If it's a player on a neutral or slightly positive contract we'll give up seconds.

If it's a player on a negative contract (ala THJ) we'll get seconds in the deal.

We won't get a first rounder for it, and I don't think we're going to add a major or long term piece either. Hopefully we'll add a playmaker who can bring some stability.

Overall our expectations should be relatively modest. I don't think we can turn it into serious value and I'd be happy to just add someone who can make us a bit better for the rest of the year. I'd love it if we somehow made out like bandits though.

This. It's nice that the Pistons are the only option on the market able to directly absorb a decent chunk of salary, but at the same time it doesn't sound like there will be a major move to take advantage of it.

I think the Butler trade is going to end up being a pretty light deal in terms of resources involved - Miami doesn't have a ton of leverage and pretty much just needs him gone. Teams are only going to get in on that deal if they can get Butler for cheap and that doesn't coincide with "paying" the Pistons anything too valuable to be a facilitator.

LaVine, Beal ,and Ingram are the other guys that could move with big salaries but again they all seem like negative value contracts that Detroit wouldn't really be able to take advantage of a team moving multiple assets around to acquire those guys.

Now, if Fox actually gets moved that would be an interesting deal to get involved with. I have a hard time believing it will happen right now though and not in the summer.

[Snakebites]

The fact that we keep hearing that the Heat are still looking for facilitators in a Butler trade tells me that the obvious solution (us) wasn’t interested in whatever was on the table to facilitate such a deal.

Which is fair. I’d only take on Beal if we got firsts (plural). And nobody is giving us that.

[Canadafan]

I'm still hoping for Collin Sexton as he'd fill a big need this season for the playoff push and also be a great sixth man next year once Ivey is back. Fontecchio, Sasser and either the TOR 2025 second or two future weaker seconds.