Pistons related Free Agency Thread

[Phobo_Phile]

Would’ve preferred THJ at the minimum over what we’re paying Robinson. Personally feels like a slight panic move by Langdon but time will tell

My thoughts exactly. You can't tell me that there is a $16 Million difference between the two.

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[Kilo]

S&T for Schroder could be for a fake second and a trade exception/exemption? Use part of that for Robinson difference over Tek?

[VicVinegar]

So I'm very confused by all the cap rules and exceptions in the NBA. Can someone please explain why the Heat did a sign and trade of Robinson with the Pistons? Robinson opted out of his contract and was a free agent. Fontecchio most likely has a negative contract, so why would the Heat want him? Does it create a trade exception? If so, isn't that an insane advantage from a sign and trade standpoint? Like why didn't we just sign and trade Schroeder to the Kings and toss in a 2nd round pick? They still get the guy they want at the price they want, they get a free draft pick and we get like $14M in trade exceptions for the low low cost of a 2nd round pick. I must be missing something here.

Edit: Post above potential addressed this as I was typing. Although upon second thought it might not be possible because Kings didn't have space and signed Schroeder via MLE, I'm not sure.

[NYPiston]

Hopefully Ausar becomes a complete SF with real shooting and Ivey learns how to play as a legit floor general PG.

Man what a disappointing FA. It obvious its a punt but the team doesn't have the talent to do anything in the playoffs with this roster (worse than last year).

Its a down year too. Haliburton out, Tatum out. The East is wide open. Not the year to punt.

What exactly were you expecting from free agency?

I don't see this roster as worse than the one that lost to the Knicks. Ivey, Stewart, Levert and Robinson is better than Beasley, Schroder, THJ and Fontecchio. Reid signed with Minnesota and Turner was going to a contender, did you see anybody else out there who would realistically move the needle?

The reality is that the young players currently here will determine the Pistons ceiling then when the Pistons are one piece away Langdon will have an opportunity to make that one big trade to vault them to contender status but they aren't there yet.

[DetroitSho]

Would’ve preferred THJ at the minimum over what we’re paying Robinson. Personally feels like a slight panic move by Langdon but time will tell

My thoughts exactly. You can't tell me that there is a $16 Million difference between the two.

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I don't like these takes. Because:
#1 we don't know Hardaway was willing to sign back here for the minimum.

#2 it's not a $16 million difference. We don't know how Robinson's contract is structured, it's not necessarily $16 million flat yearly. It could start in the 14/15s and escalate up. But let's say it's $16 million flat for 3 years. The vet minimum for Hardaway would be like $3.6 million, which is a $12.4 million difference, not $16 million. Which segues into my next point.

#3 you have to account for getting off of Tek's $8 million in the process. So now the difference between the two players is only $4 million. Which makes sense when thinking one guy didn't seem to have alot of interest and went to a contender. The other guy literally opted out of $19 million guaranteed. And he's much more of a sniper at that.

I remember a year ago, consistently defending the THJ acquisition, and I couldn't find more than 1 or 2 other people who were ok with him being here. I hope this doesn't turn into a bunch of fake THJ love.

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[DetroitSho]

So I'm very confused by all the cap rules and exceptions in the NBA. Can someone please explain why the Heat did a sign and trade of Robinson with the Pistons? Robinson opted out of his contract and was a free agent. Fontecchio most likely has a negative contract, so why would the Heat want him? Does it create a trade exception? If so, isn't that an insane advantage from a sign and trade standpoint? Like why didn't we just sign and trade Schroeder to the Kings and toss in a 2nd round pick? They still get the guy they want at the price they want, they get a free draft pick and we get like $14M in trade exceptions for the low low cost of a 2nd round pick. I must be missing something here.

Edit: Post above potential addressed this as I was typing. Although upon second thought it might not be possible because Kings didn't have space and signed Schroeder via MLE, I'm not sure.

Just to go a little further, I'm sure Robinson was planning on opting in to his $20 million. If so, Miami was probably going to waive him and have to pay him $10 million to go away. I'm sure Pat Riley and Langdon already had a trade lined up, but they just needed to get numbers figured out with Duncan for him to at least recoup his $20 million he would opt out of. So by trading for Tek, Miami saves at least $2 million if they were to cut Robinson and $12 million if they were going to keep him.

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[BadMofoPimp]

Living in Florida I get to watch some of the Heat games. While Duncan isn't the best defender, he puts in the effort. He can drive as well as shoot 3's. Solid signing in my opinion. I do think he is more a $12 mil player, but guys who can shoot up to 40% from 3 go for larger contracts.

[Kalamazoo317]

Free agency is never going to move the needle for us as a team very much. Never has, never will. In our market, it's always going to be draft picks and trades.

[aad]

Good signing

[uncleoswald]

I think it's generally assumed at this point that Schroder is not being dealt in a S&T. While that may still be the case, it appears that our last path to a major free agent is the $8.8M Room MLE. Would you like to see the Pistons use this and if so, which position or player would you like to see it used on?

The Pacers and Thunder both have a deep well of solid guards and swingmen. Do we need another, following the signing of LeVert? Or should we move for another big man to support Harris and Robinson?

I continue to believe that a trade is still a possibility. However, we have lost a piece that could make that happen in Fontecchio. I'm curious to know how much salary we could absorb in trade if we let go of Sasser (2.8m next year) and Holland ($8.6m next year), who look like they may be squeezed for minutes.

[blog_pistons]

https://hoopshype.com/salaries/detroit_pistons/

Duncan Robinson: Only $9,888,000 guaranteed in 2025/26, HoopsHype has learned. Increases to full guarantee if his team doesn't waive him on or before two days after the end of 2025/26 moratorium period or if his team wins an NBA championship between 2022 and 2025 season and he achieves various minutes/games played requirements.

I guess that is 26/27 not 25/26. And NBA champioship between now and 2027.

[tmorgan]

https://hoopshype.com/salaries/detroit_pistons/

Duncan Robinson: Only $9,888,000 guaranteed in 2025/26, HoopsHype has learned. Increases to full guarantee if his team doesn't waive him on or before two days after the end of 2025/26 moratorium period or if his team wins an NBA championship between 2022 and 2025 season and he achieves various minutes/games played requirements.

I guess that is 26/27 not 25/26. And NBA champioship between now and 2027.

Pretty sure that’s his old contract with Miami that he opted out of.

[flow]

so we now have 12 players (13 once lanier signs) and we still have needs for a "true" backup PG and backup 4.

Bingo. We entered free agency with one positional need to fill. Now, in addition to not yet filling that need, we've added another one. Going backwards so far.

.

[the_l_train]

Seems like Boucher is best case scenario for who’s remaining.

Achuwia and Bol Bol after that.

[Piston Pete]

Mo Wagner?

[the_l_train]

Mo Wagner?

I guess. Wouldn’t be thrilled but better than nothing. Becoming the new Orlando Magic with all these Michigan dudes.

[NYPiston]

Free agency is never going to move the needle for us as a team very much. Never has, never will. In our market, it's always going to be draft picks and trades.

Does it move the needle for anybody? Free agency is a graveyard in recent years.
Look at the Celtics and Thunder rosters, all drafted and developed or through trade. Hartenstein is pretty much the only notable player from either roster that was a free agent signing.

[BadMofoPimp]

Problem Duncan had with the Heat is he was put in many positions to fill needs due to players being out. Heck, he even played spot minutes at PF when needed. He is a solid role player and the main reason fans soured on him was due to his contract price hurting them in aquiring free agents, yet they had Rozier who was horrid on court and cost more. I still think $16 mil per is too much but he could still possibly earn it if he performs and keeps hitting 3's close to 40%.

[bstein14]

Looks like Duncan Robinson is getting 3/$45 from the Pistons instead of the originally reported 3/$48.

[Crymson]

Would’ve preferred THJ at the minimum over what we’re paying Robinson. Personally feels like a slight panic move by Langdon but time will tell

My thoughts exactly. You can't tell me that there is a $16 Million difference between the two.

THJ is a through-and-through minus player at this stage of his career. He can do nothing -- not defense, rebounding, passing, or reliable interior scoring -- except shoot, and he didn't do very well at that for the Pistons. Robinson is a considerably better player.

The difference is $6 million with Fontecchio sent out. Robinson is certainly $6m better than THJ.

Skillset wise, it looks like the player that fill our needs the most is Bol Bol (PF, 7 footer, 3pts, blocks).
But attitude wise... I don't think management would want another drama after Beasley's.

He's an option for the 8M exception, but a flawed one.

Bol Bol sucks. He's got decent offensive skill, but he's an absolutely and utterly dreadful NBA defender; whatever he offers on offense he gives back, and more, defensively. He'd be a solid player if he could play defense, but he can't and he won't ever be able to; he's just too immobile to defend on the perimeter, and he isn't a viable defender at center either.

S&T for Schroder could be for a fake second and a trade exception/exemption? Use part of that for Robinson difference over Tek?

Exceptions can't be combined with salaries or with other exceptions.

A S&T with Schroder may still be in the cards, though it would lose the Pistons access to the $8.8m Room MLE.