How do Pistons best leverage $14M cap space?

[Bentley1225]

Theyre over .500 at almost the midway point of the season with $14 million in cap space. They got an open roster spot, a $16 million expiring in Hardaway and sit 8th in EC.

The following teams are not a top 6 seed in their respective conference and over tax apron
-New Orleans ($2.1M over)
-Los Angeles Clippers ($2.4M over)
-Golden State ($6M over)
-Philadelphia ($10.1M over)
-Miami ($13.5M over)
-Minny ($31.7M over)

On paper, it seems like anyone of or multiple teams on that list might want to dump contracts on Pistons along with picks to lower or eliminate their respective tax bills

Alternatively, would the Pistons look to make a move to improve team either short term and/or long term to help solidify at least a 6th seed in EC by targeting certain players like a Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum etc?

Curious to hear what board thinks is best coruse of action for the Pistons

[gswhoops]

It's an interesting question under the new CBA where teams can use the MLE to acquire a player via trade. In theory, the price of dumping a sub-MLE contract into cap space ought to go down, because there are more options available.

List of teams with some or all of the MLE available: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2024/07/how-teams-are-using-2024-25-mid-level-exceptions.html

[gswhoops]

For my team (the Warriors), depending on how the next month plays out, we would likely be interested in moving one of our mid-sized contracts to a cap space team in order to get under the tax line, GP2 being the most likely candidate.

[Texas Chuck]

I think they have some pre-arranged deadline deals lined up prepared to pull the trigger on the best asset for the use of their space, while hoping a bigger deal gets put together between other teams that needs their help where they can squeeze out a bit more.

If none of the salary dumps are worth doing, I'd look to take on RFA's another team has decided they don't want to give a 2nd contract too and try them out for a few months.

Or if the team really thinks they can not only make the play-in but have a chance to make the actual tournament maybe you use the space to add one more veteran for that push.

But they should already have dump deals lined up just waiting on the deadline.

[Bentley1225]

For my team (the Warriors), depending on how the next month plays out, we would likely be interested in moving one of our mid-sized contracts to a cap space team in order to get under the tax line, GP2 being the most likely candidate.

I think GP2 is the most likely dump along with a 2nd as he fills s short term hole surrounding Ivey injury. All depending if Pistons have other deals to take on more salary for more picks.

[Mavrelous]

The 7.5m margin on contracts makes any team with 10-20 M in tax space potential dumping ground for MLE sized deals, Pistons should focus on laege contracts to eat

[kobe_vs_jordan]

My first option would you be the 3rd team in a star deal. Use the cap as leverage to get paid. If you don't get overpaid , make a deal to push for the second rounds of the playoffs . Get the young guys some experience and keep building on the culture .

[Billl]

I don't think the pistons plan A is to sell cap space for 2nds to the highest bidder. I think they are looking to grab a rotation player for either being part of a larger trade that needs cap space or from some team looking to hit reset.

[Kiss of Death]

Maybe trade Hardaway, small filler contract, picks for Zion or Ingram.
NOLA gets out of the tax and Detroit takes a big swing.

[shrink]

My first option would you be the 3rd team in a star deal. Use the cap as leverage to get paid. If you don't get overpaid , make a deal to push for the second rounds of the playoffs . Get the young guys some experience and keep building on the culture .

Perfect

[kobe_vs_jordan]

My first option would you be the 3rd team in a star deal. Use the cap as leverage to get paid. If you don't get overpaid , make a deal to push for the second rounds of the playoffs . Get the young guys some experience and keep building on the culture .

Perfect

Pistons put themselves in the perfect position. They took cap space into the season and their team is overachieving. Time for them to cash in

[Euphonetiks]

Pels are actually lower than $2.1M, Dejounte has $700k in incentives that he is not going to hit. According to Bobby Marks, we should end up ~$850k over the tax.

Trajan had a close relationship with CJ and he’s a good lockerroom guy for a young team, so I could see the Pistons taking CJ. But to utilize the cap space, I would imagine it being a 3-way with salary going back to the Pelicans and another team ducking the tax as well.

All of this depends on the Ingram situation, which I don’t see interesting the Pistons, but could be a component of a Butler trade.

[GreekAlex]

Maybe trade Hardaway, small filler contract, picks for Zion or Ingram.
NOLA gets out of the tax and Detroit takes a big swing.

As a Pistons fan, I want no part of Ingram or Zion at any price. New Orleans looked like the hottest up and coming team recently and then you see what having “stars” with limited availability does to a franchise. I think they’re both severely flawed and complete “fools good”.

After watching the NBA over the last few decades, I’ve realized with the way the salary cap works, most of the time teams find success by not having “anchor” contracts on their books. Obviously there has to be talent along with it but I believe a teams success can directly be correlated with how much production they get per dollar spent when factoring in missed games.

[tmorgan]

I’m interested in a CJ deal if we get paid for it. Not sure if he can operate as a primary ball-handler for short stretches at his age, though, which is something we need to replace Ivey.

Not worried about pecking order on the team. It’s Cade and whoever he wants to pass to, and I think the whole league knows it.

[winforlose]

Theyre over .500 at almost the midway point of the season with $14 million in cap space. They got an open roster spot, a $16 million expiring in Hardaway and sit 8th in EC.

The following teams are not a top 6 seed in their respective conference and over tax apron
-New Orleans ($2.1M over)
-Los Angeles Clippers ($2.4M over)
-Golden State ($6M over)
-Philadelphia ($10.1M over)
-Miami ($13.5M over)
-Minny ($31.7M over)

On paper, it seems like anyone of or multiple teams on that list might want to dump contracts on Pistons along with picks to lower or eliminate their respective tax bills

Alternatively, would the Pistons look to make a move to improve team either short term and/or long term to help solidify at least a 6th seed in EC by targeting certain players like a Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum etc?

Curious to hear what board thinks is best coruse of action for the Pistons

I am confused by both the premise and the list. With the exception of the Pels, every team is still viable for a playoff run. For example the Wolves are 2 games out of 4th, and GSW is 3 games out of 4th. Why would you assume that makes them sellers? The Wolves are looking to roster balance, GSW is looking to roster balance, Miami is looking to move on from Butler and hopefully find something that allows them to push forward (addition by subtraction.)

As for Detroit, the last thing to do is take on bad deals. You have a young core, you have the room to try and improve next season. The time for Detroit to add bad money to try and get assets in the past. Detroit should be looking to go the Houston route in that they find Vets who can help the youth compete. A couple of short playoff runs will do wonders for the Pistons, and who knows, maybe one of them isn’t that short.

[Skybox]

Something sexier might develop as DET is feeling frisky about not being in "rebuild" mode anymore, but I still think they've got another year of asset accumulation before the big "sorting"....ORL, on the other hand, could really use some short-term depth - particularly a big, versatile body and 3pt shooting - preferably without long-term financial commitment that might hinder a bigger move in the summer. Cole is up and down but he's capable of very big moments and still very young...he could fill the Ivey gap and having an oversized playmaker in Cade helps. Jett is a sweet shooter who is starting to find his footing but hasn't really been able to get consistent minutes - also a UM product and only 21yo...pick will likely land in the 20's but is significant return for two expiring marginal guys (even if one is having a surprising year), consider that it also compensates for one more year of Cole's deal - if he doesn't stick in DET's rotation.

ORL sends: Cole Anthony, Jett Howard, DEN 25 frp
DET sends: Malik Beasley, Paul Reed

[LarsV8]

I'm still learning the new CBA but I think it could be a way to facilitate a Jalen Green trade, if one were to arise.

For example:
Booker to Houston
Green to Phoenix
Adams to Detroit

I believe that soles the poison pill provision.

[LightTheBeam]

Does Detroit want to sell their space for draft picks?

At this point I wonder if they would rather make a trade to get a good player to add to the team. They are playing great basketball and already have Cade, Ivey, Holland, Ausar, Duren, and Sasser as young guys to develop.

I'd focus more on finding a good piece while saving a team a crap ton of money.

What kind of incentive is needed to turn THJ into Miles Bridges? a 2nd? 2 2nds?

Or they could offer THJ + Assets for Cam Johnson.

[zimpy27]

It does seem tempting to say helping Miami get under the tax line.

[Skybox]

I'm still learning the new CBA but I think it could be a way to facilitate a Jalen Green trade, if one were to arise.

For example:
Booker to Houston
Green to Phoenix
Adams to Detroit

I believe that soles the poison pill provision.

Doesn't solve the "Why the F would Phx do that?" provision