3 reasons why the Detroit Pistons should trade Luke Kennard
2. Does he fit the financial timeline?
Kennard’s salary is going to increase on the open market prior to the 2021-22 season. How much is up for debate but the $15 million mark seems like a healthy line. That season will likely be Blake Griffin‘s last, as he is due to make $38.96 million on his player option, so filling out the roster around him could be challenging.
The only other player on the timeline would be current rookie Sekou Doumbouya, who is the unequivocal future of the Pistons. He will be who the Pistons slot around for the beginning of the next decade.
Can the Pistons afford to pay Kennard in excess of $15 million annually and have a winning product by the time Doumbouya reaches 21 and in his third year? That likely depends on what happens at the trade deadline, especially if Kennard remains on the roster.
It’s known that the Pistons won’t go into a full-blown rebuild, such as the Sixers tanking for the process. It’s unavoidable with Griffin hanging around. Re-tooling will become the popular term in the Motor City as the Pistons look to get back to the playoffs with a (hopefully) healthy Griffin.
That could mean the Pistons go spend money this summer to bring in a point guard — they’ve been drawn to Fred VanVleet in earlier reports. By the time Kennard’s contract expires, the Pistons could be pushing towards the luxury tax again with Griffin eating up a large amount of space.
Do the Pistons want that financial burden for a player trending towards Redick’s level?