The new NBA salary cap projections were reported on Monday and it could impact the Detroit Pistons in a big way this summer.
The NBA is sticking to its April salary cap projection of $116 million, which is lower than the initial $118 million they thought.
Next summer, teams will have additional money to spend by getting an additional $7 million in cap space from this season’s $109 million limit.
The projection jumps to $125 million for the 2021-22 season with the big name free agents, such as LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo hit the market, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Monday.
The Detroit Pistons’ plans can remain virtually unchanged heading into next summer. With Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond on expiring deals, those two alone will bring $45.2 million off the books. The duo accounts for 33.6 percent of the Pistons salary.
Because the Pistons hold their bird rights, a current contract of at least three years, they can afford to extend both of them while going over the salary cap limit this summer.
Drummond is, arguably, the biggest name to hit free agency this summer. He’s certainly the best available center, unless something happens with Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers that causes a falling out. There aren’t many teams who will have the salary cap space to pursue him.
His recent free agency comments indicate he will decline his $28.1 million player option for the 2020-21 season and putting him in the loaded 2021 class. It’s a smart business decision, looking at who will be available in 2020. Though teams may save their room for 2021.
Regardless, teams will have cap space and will use it. The Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies are among teams that will have cap space that could sign Drummond to a maximum contract, according to Keith Smart’s salary cap cheat sheet. Of course several other teams could move contracts to clear up space, too.
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There’s a question of whether Drummond even commands a maximum contract, especially when Draymond Green recently signed a four-year, $100 million extension that provides an average annual value of $25 million, which seems competitive to what Drummond could receive.
If the Pistons were to move on from Jackson, Kyle Lowry, Goran Dragic and Fred VanVleet would be well within their budget. Lowry and Dragic are trending downwards in their careers and will be 34 by the time negotiations begin. VanVleet will be 26 but hasn’t shown what he can do in a starting role.
Other intriguing options on the free agent market include Serge Ibaka, Paul Millsap and Marc Gasol, who will all be in their 30’s with Millsap and Gasol at 35. On the wing Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner are older veterans that may be worth a look, but it’s hard seeing either of them commanding large money.
The Pistons are positioned nicely for free agency with the new salary cap in 2020. But teams such as the Hawks or Grizzlies could throw a wrench in their plans by making a play for Drummond.
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