This offseason isn’t yet over for the Detroit Pistons but it’s not too soon to start looking at next offseason. Ok, so it is, but I am going to do it anyway.
Why? Because next offseason, unlike this one, the Pistons are going to have a big advantage in that they will be one of four teams projected to have any cap space.
The Pistons are likely to have at least $30 million in space to play around with and could use it to try and pry a restricted free agent from another team or sign a big time unrestricted free agent outright.
The list of unrestricted free agents for next season is pretty short, but there are some very interesting restricted players who are just entering their prime and would be great fits in Detroit.
The Pistons would love to grab a guy in his mid-20’s to grow with their young core, and the right guy could push them over the top in the Eastern Conference.
Here are three guys who all seem like good fits. I’ll list them from least likely to somewhat more likely.
Detroit Pistons: Restricted free agent Zach LaVine
Because Zach LaVine can make way more money by playing out this season, he is very unlikely to sign an extension with the Bulls until next offseason, and though I think he is the least likely to leave his team, a lot can happen between now and then.
If the Bulls flame out with their very expensive new roster, it’s possible they will shake things up by trading LaVine sometime before the deadline, but it’s far more likely that they will try to lock him up to a max deal.
A backcourt of LaVine and Cade Cunningham has a lot of appeal, as they would create mismatches on offense and be elite defensively. LaVine is only 26-years-old, so whoever he signs with will get his prime years but they aren’t going to be cheap, as he is an unrestricted free agent.
LaVine might be the biggest name available so he is going to get a bag. Do the Bulls want to pay him $30+ million a year? LaVine’s name is going to be in a lot of rumors this season.