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What Can the Detroit Pistons Do in Free Agency?

By Richard Davisson

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 25: Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game against the Phoenix Suns at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 25, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 25: Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game against the Phoenix Suns at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 25, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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BROOKLYN, NY – APRIL 18: Ed Davis #17 of the Brooklyn Nets rests during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 18, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – APRIL 18: Ed Davis #17 of the Brooklyn Nets rests during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 18, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Option 2: Re-sign Ish Smith and Get a Better Big Man

If the Pistons are still going to avoid the tax, then re-signing Ish Smith could serve as a way to avoid the hard cap and retain flexibility if a mid-season trade for an impact player were to present itself.

Let’s assume that Smith is willing to take a slight paycut to remain a Piston on a deal that is worth $11 million over 2 years. This allows the Pistons to use a portion ($5.711 million) of their MLE and not be hard-capped at the $138 million estimate. With that amount the Pistons can open up their options to get a better center. They are probably still out of the Dewayne Dedmon or Robin Lopez sweepstakes, but they could find themselves in range of Ed Davis, Nerlens Noel, or Noah Vonleh.

For those clamoring for Ed Davis instead of Andre Drummond this past season, lets just add him to the rotation instead for $11.7 million over two years.

This approach also limits the Pistons to the minimum salary for their last wing to a minimum deal. Let’s give it to Darius Miller, who is a career 38% shooter from deep.

Reflection

Bringing back Ish Smith as well as getting Ed Davis and Darius Miller puts the Pistons in the same predicament of only being able to fill 14 roster spots and stay under the luxury tax. However, this approach allows the Pistons the freedom and flexibility to jump on any trade at the deadline in February that presents itself.