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Do the Detroit Pistons have any untouchable players?

By Travis Gibbs

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 18: Pistons owner Tom Gores addresses the media before the Inaugural NBA game at the new Little Caesars Arena on October 18, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Pistons defeated the Hornets 102 to 90. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 18: Pistons owner Tom Gores addresses the media before the Inaugural NBA game at the new Little Caesars Arena on October 18, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Pistons defeated the Hornets 102 to 90. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Pistons missed the playoffs for the second straight season. They are in a tough spot as a franchise right now because of their big contracts.

The Detroit Pistons are currently in an awkward spot as an organization. They aren’t great.  They aren’t bad. Stan Van Gundy’s team finished 39-43 this season.

CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 11: Head coach Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons reacts in the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on April 11, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Stan Van Gundy
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 11: Head coach Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons reacts in the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on April 11, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Stan Van Gundy /

The Pistons will be over the salary cap by nearly $13 million again in the 2018 season. That number will likely go up because of looming free agents from this past season.

Players that won’t be on the roster next season unless they are re-signed are Anthony Tolliver, James Ennis III, and Jameer Nelson.

They won’t be over the luxury tax (thankfully) but it does limit what they can do as far as improving the current roster.

The other way to improve an NBA roster is through the draft. Unfortunately, the Pistons gave up their first round pick this year in the Blake Griffin trade.

This season, they had the ninth highest payroll in the NBA. Going into next season, 65 percent of their payroll will be taken up by just three players.

Detroit’s giant contracts

Griffin is the biggest contract. He will be earning $31.8 million next season. Andre Drummond ($25.4 million) isn’t far behind him.

Reggie Jackson will earn $17 million next season. He’s played in just 97 out of a possible 164 games over the past two seasons.

They have options for next season. They make another run at it with the team they have or they start to rebuild. As a fan, I know how frustrating it’s been to watch this team sit in idle for the past two seasons. I’d like to see some type of direction.

Owner Tom Gores made it clear earlier this week that he’d like to make some changes to the front office of the organization. That leads me to believe they won’t be making another serious run at competing.

A harsh reality

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If they choose to start rebuilding, who is really untouchable on this roster?

Nobody.

Look, there’s no beating around the bush with this. Even if everything does go according to plan  next season, how big of a threat are the Detroit Pistons?

I truly believe there would still be 3-4 teams in the eastern conference that would be significantly better than this team.

You can’t argue that Boston and Philadelphia aren’t stronger than a completely healthy Detroit team. Depending on if LeBron James stays in Cleveland factors into the equation. What Toronto does in the off-season will also play a factor. It could even be argued that the Indiana Pacers are a bigger threat than Detroit as they continue to get better.

Who should be on the move?

If a rebuild happens, they need to do everything they can to move those three big contracts mentioned earlier. Acquiring a hefty amount of draft picks with the value they currently have on their roster is how to properly start rebuilding.

The Pistons likely won’t get great deals with Drummond and Jackson if they choose to move them for draft picks and/or young talent.

Drummond doesn’t have the game of a modern-day big man in the NBA. He can’t stretch the floor with his ability to knock down shots.

Jackson can’t stay healthy. He’s missed a lot of meaningful time over the past two seasons. When  healthy, Jackson is one of the better point guards in the eastern conference.

Griffin would get the most value out of the three. He has they type of talent that could get them back in the first round for a pick.

He seems like the least likely to get moved out of the three. Griffin could be the guy to start building around. He’s still 29 and continues to evolve his game in a direction that will keep him healthy in the long run.

There isn’t anyone in Detroit that should feel safe as the Pistons’ front office looks to make changes.

At the end of the day as a fan, I’m not thrilled about a rebuild. I’d love to see this team compete but they just don’t have the fire power.

A rebuild is a sense of direction for the franchise and that’s why it’s appealing.

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