Remember the problem the Detroit Pistons had with their roster? Seems like yesterday the Pistons had too many players for too few roster spots. Actually, it was yesterday. With the Brooklyn Nets trade, Detroit not only has no more logjam worries, it actually has some openings.
While everyone fretted over what would the Detroit Pistons do with 16 guaranteed contracts and only 15 roster spots, general manager Troy Weaver, per usual, had something up his sleeve. If the reported trade with the Nets comes about, problem solved, and even some wiggle room created.
Here is the deal, first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski:
Jordan is expected to negotiate a buyout with the Pistons, which makes sense. As a young, building team, Detroit really has no need for a 33-year-old center who has seen better days. By the playoffs, Blake Griffin had supplanted Jordan in the Nets starting lineup.
With the signing of forward-center Kelly Olynyk, the emergence of center Isaiah Stewart (voted second team All-Rookie), rookie Luka Garza making second team All-NBA Summer League and coach Dwane Casey talking about possibly using Jerami Grant as a small-ball center, there simply was no lane for Okafor to get playing time.
Yes, he is only 20, but Doumbouya sat behind Grant and Olynyk at power forward on the depth chart and that probably was not going to change with the money the Pistons are shelling out for them. He probably would have been in the 10th-11th player role like last season.
With the removal of Okafor, Doumbouya (the 15th overall pick in the draft by Detroit just two years ago) and, soon, Jordan, when the dust settles, Detroit will have just 14 NBA contracts.
Their other obligations are two-way contracts for Chris Smith and Luka Garza plus Summer League standout Jamorko Pickett and Anthony Tarke are each on an Exhibit 10 (invitation to training camp, bump in G-League pay if end up there).
NBA teams are allowed to bring 20 players to training camp but must cut down to 15 by opening day. Right now, Detroit is at 18.
Who will fill the open two spots? Garza could be moved up, or a veteran could be brought in (Wayne Ellington was signed two days before the start of training camp last year). Detroit suddenly has lots of optionality.
While many were concerned what Detroit would do, overflowing with the players nearing training camp, most figured Troy Weaver would come up with something.
He did.