Vernon Macklin doesn’t receive qualifying offer from Pistons

Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:

"No qualifying offer for PF Vernon Macklin, thus he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Still on #Pistons summer league team."

"#Pistons are really high on Vernon, but it’s a numbers game with roster likely at 14 and team can still use MLE. Still can sign him, tho."

This is the right move.

If the Pistons had extended Macklin a qualifying offer – $962,195 – he would have been a restricted free agent, meaning the Pistons could match any offer he receives from another team. The downside is that Detroit would have been committed to giving Macklin that one-year, $962,195 contract if that’s what Macklin wanted.

I can’t imagine other teams hold interest in Macklin, so that right to match offers was probably worthless. I also think Macklin would have accepted the qualifying offer immediately.

Now, if the Pistons want to bring back Macklin, they can offer him just a minimum contract – $762,195. And if the Pistons decide Macklin is no longer worthy of a roster spot, they can let him walk without penalty.