The Detroit Pistons have shored up their bench this offseason through the draft and free agency. Now the last order of business pertains to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s extension.
The Detroit Pistons have prioritized masking their weaknesses this offseason. They’ve accomplished that by adding Henry Ellenson and Michael Gbinije in the draft, and Jon Leuer, Ish Smith, and Boban Marjanovic in free agency.
But one thing still remains on the agenda–extending Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
While a deal has yet to be struck between the two sides, Stan Van Gundy isn’t worried about getting a deal done.
"“With everything going on, draft, free agency, and then everybody needs a break, there’s no reason that we need to go on that right now,” Stan Van Gundy, Pistons president of basketball operations and head coach, said. “We’ve got plenty of time. They know that we’re interested in trying to do something and they know that we’ll talk, and that’s just sort of where we left it.”"
Caldwell-Pope is reportedly seeking somewhere around $20 million per season. The Pistons would like to extend him for about $15 million per season.
$5 million might not seem like a lot, but over multiple years that adds up.
The Pistons have until October 31st to get a deal done, otherwise, Caldwell-Pope will enter free agency as a restricted free agent.
So what if the sides can’t come to an agreement by the deadline? Will the Pistons match free agency offers?
If a deal isn’t struck between the two sides by the deadline I fully expect the Pistons to match any offer thrown Caldwell-Pope’s way. Van Gundy and his staff view Caldwell-Pope as a core piece to their team. He’s also the Pistons’ best perimeter defender.
Will a deal get struck by the deadline?
Obviously we can’t predict the future, but it is in the Pistons’ best interest to lock Caldwell-Pope up long-term.
Free agency–as illustrated this offseason–shows that teams are willing to throw around crazy amounts of money. If Kentavious Caldwell-Pope just improves his efficiency to say 35% from three and 45% overall from the field, it’s likely he garners more than $20 million from a team in free agency.
Take Allan Crabbe for example. Crabbe finished his third season in the NBA averaging 10.3 points per game. He’s now making $18.5 million per season. (Side note: Crabbe is making more money than Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Steph Curry, DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall, Klay Thompson, Gordon Hayward, and Jimmy Butler–let that sink in for a moment).
Caldwell-Pope will be entering his fourth season in the NBA and has averaged back-to-back seasons of 14 plus points per game. He’s also a terrific defender.
Any kind of jump in his offensive stats or efficiency will make Caldwell-Pope a hot commodity in free agency.
I promise I’ll answer the above question. Let me finish laying the facts.
Why put yourself in a position to pay more?
The Pistons likely realize they could end up losing money by letting talks extend into next offseason. This immediately prioritizes a deal between the two sides, at least, on the Pistons’ side of things.
If Caldwell-Pope is seeking $20 million per season and his camp isn’t budging, the Pistons will pay the man before the extension deadline.
That is, unless the Pistons think he’s replaceable.
The salary cap world is a tough one for teams to live in. Particularly with the money that is being thrown around in free agency.
Therefor, it’s in the Pistons’ best interest to get a deal done now, though it might not be in Caldwell-Pope’s best interest.
If the Pistons’ don’t strike a deal by the deadline with Caldwell-Pope, my guess is that it will be because his agent feels that he will make more money in free agency–more than the $20 million he’s rumored to be seeking.
Since I proposed a question, I guess I better give you my “gut feeling”, because there doesn’t look to be a clear cut answer.
While all the signs point towards a big free agency for Caldwell-Pope, my gut tells me the two sides come to an agreement on a contract in the $19-20 million range.