Players moving out west that would largely benefit the Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons snagged the 8th and final playoff spot in the eastern conference this season. But which eastern conference free agents need to move out west?

The Detroit Pistons making the playoffs for the second time in the last 10 seasons was the first stepping stone in their road to contention. They made the 8th seed in the east; but were immediately dealt with quickly by the Milwaukee Bucks.

But for the Pistons, they will take any playoff experience they can get. Under a new front office and coaching staff, Dwane Casey delivered his promise to the fans by helping the Pistons make the playoffs.

Now, the next step for the Pistons will be winning a couple playoff games. Or maybe if things go their way, winning a playoff series. But that’s easier said than done. The Pistons are locked up in cap space. Unless they make trades freeing up cap space, they will likely go into free agency with 9.2 million dollars to spend with their Mid-Level Exception.

They won’t be able to sign any big name free agent with that amount of money. And free agents aren’t going to take pay cuts to play in Detroit.

The likely hood of the Pistons drafting a player that would make an immediate impact in the team’s wins and losses is very unlikely. So what needs to happen this off-season for the Pistons to take the next step in the eastern conference?

Big Name Eastern Conference free agents move out West!

The eastern conference is filled with multiple contending teams. The Toronto Raptors fought their way against two potential finals bound teams; the Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Sixers took the Raptors to 7 games before being sent fishing by Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi averaged 34.7 points per game, 9.9 rebounds, and 4 assists on 53 percent shooting!

His numbers would drop versus the team with the best record in the NBA; the Milwaukee Bucks. Still though, Kawhi would dominate the series and send Milwaukee packing by winning in 6 games.

Kawhi has solidified himself as the best player in the East. But depending how the finals plays out, Kawhi could easily be playing for a new team next season. It has been rumored all season long that Kawhi could team up with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Or he could head towards his favorite team growing up; the Los Angeles Clippers.

Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris are also a big name free agents in the East that could move out West. After being traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Philadelphia 76ers, Jimmy Butler had big expectations for the team. Those expectations got even higher when they traded for fringe all-star Tobias Harris before the trade deadline.

Tobias just missed out of making the all-star game in the West. Both Harris and Butler are both expiring deals. Having one or even both players move out west could be huge for the Pistons.

And lastly Kemba Walker‘s time in Charlotte could come to an end. His contract is expiring and they have only made the playoffs twice in his career. The Hornets have missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

But Kemba Walker was still fantastic this season. He made the All-Star Team and eventually the All-NBA Third Team. Walker making the third team is huge for the Hornets. He is now eligible for the super max contract.

Still though, the Charlotte Hornets are in no position to drastically improve. This could force Kemba Walker out west into a winning situation.