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Simulating the Offseason for the Detroit Pistons

By Sham Mohile

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 22, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; A general view of the new Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings shared venue Little Caesars Arena from the Cass Tech High School media center. In the distance on the right you can see Comerica Park and Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; A general view of the new Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings shared venue Little Caesars Arena from the Cass Tech High School media center. In the distance on the right you can see Comerica Park and Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Free Agency

The Detroit Pistons are approximately $14 million above the salary cap so adding meaningful talent in free agency was going to be a challenge. Regarding the player and team options that the Pistons must address, it was imperative that I bring back Stanley Johnson on his rookie deal and Gbinije as well because of how cheap his contract was. I decided to let Darrun Hilliard walk to lessen the competition for Luke Kennard and potentially whoever I manage to sign in free agency. I find that his position and productivity is easily replaceable.

I elated to find out that Aron Baynes wanted to come back to give it another run with the squad. However, managing minutes at the center position will be difficult with the progress and fandemonium surrounding Boban Marjanovic.

The Pistons currently have two restricted free agents in Reggie Bullock and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. I extended each of them a qualifying offer in order to match any offer that they receive from other teams. My plan is to match Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s offer regardless of how expensive the deal is, and to evaluate whether Bullock’s deal is worth it given his production.

Beno Udrih was the Pistons’ only unrestricted free agent and given how crucial he was when Reggie Jackson sat out for an extended amount of time, I figured that I would offer to bring him back on a minimum contract.

After Day 3 of free agency, Reggie Bullock was offered a one-year $1.09 million dollar contract from the Cleveland Cavaliers and I decided to let him take that deal. I was able to beat out the Oklahoma City Thunder and strike a deal with Michael Beasley on a two-year $5.32 million dollar contract to round out the end of the bench. Wayne Ellington, although it was a cheap signing, was my most impactful signing so far. Ellington is a career 37.7 percent three-point shooter and immediately fills the void that Bullock left when he accepted the Cavaliers’ deal.

On Day 5, the inevitable happened. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope received an offer from the Orlando Magic for four years $90.90 million dollars. At around $23 million per year, I matched the offer and also signed Udrih to a minimum deal.

It seemed as though the Pistons’ roster was taking its final shape…until I realized the Pistons were over the luxury tax line. Owner Tom Gores has repeatedly stated that he would be willing to go over the luxury tax to bring back members of the Pistons’ core, but what if the Pistons could move some parts around and stay under the luxury tax line?

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