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Detroit Pistons Mock Offseason 2.0

By Richard Davisson

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 22: Ish Smith #14 of the Detroit Pistons warms up before Game Four of Round One against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 22: Ish Smith #14 of the Detroit Pistons warms up before Game Four of Round One against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 4: Alec Burks #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles down the court during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Quicken Loans Arena on January 4, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 4: Alec Burks #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles down the court during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Quicken Loans Arena on January 4, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Wing Rotation

Last season, Detroit was essentially running the 6’5” Bruce Brown as their starting small forward. With the way the offseason has gone, the Pistons have a number of bodies that could be involved in the rotation at the wing. Nevertheless, the last roster spot will go to someone who can contribute at the wing and preferably is 6’6” or taller.

With only $7.7 million to spend, the Pistons won’t be able to offer the full mid-level exception (MLE) of $9.2 million. However, this gives Detroit the opportunity to use part of the MLE now without hard-capping themselves in case more opportunities open up later. Tom Gores has said that he is willing to go into the tax if it means that the Pistons can acquire an impact player. Nothing has materialized during this off-season, but with a lot of expiring deals, this upcoming trade deadline and subsequent buyout market could cause Detroit to spend less on this wing player.

The Pistons are looking to spend up to the amount of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception of $5.7 million, which is the most they can without hard-capping themselves. This puts them out of the running for guys like Marcus Morris or Rodney Hood. The Pistons would also like to reunite with Reggie Bullock, but offering only $5.7 million a year won’t bring him back. Detroit may need to explore players like Jeff Green, Alec Burks, and DeMarre Carroll.

Out of those guys, the 6’6” Burks shot the best from deep at 36.3%. He had a rough year last year, being moved to Cleveland and Sacramento after falling out of the crowded wing rotation in Utah. A change of scenery to a team that has playoff aspirations and a role for him, may help him get back on track as a contributing wing.

The Pistons decide to sign Burks to a 2 year deal for $11.7 million. The deal uses $5.7 million of the MLE so the Pistons aren’t hard-capped yet and have flexibility entering the season. If Detroit wishes to sign anyone in the buy-out market, they have the rest of the MLE and the BAE, which should make them an attractive location for the top wings that hit the market.

Or if a trade scenario were to open up for Detroit at the February deadline, the Pistons wouldn’t be hard-capped and could go further into the tax if it were for the right player. While Burks isn’t the flashiest signing the Pistons could snag, the flexibility they gain with the unused exceptions is worth it to them.