Why the Detroit Pistons could have Bradley Beal and other big names calling

One of the top experts in the media on the NBA’s salary cap, Eric Pincus, talked on a recent show about how few teams have any real salary cap space this off-season, the Detroit Pistons being an exception. That could result in them gaining some unexpected interest from big names.

How about Bradley Beal signing with the Pistons as a free agent? That certainly would be surprising, but, in the current landscape, Detroit might be one of the few landing spots that could afford him if he really wants a fresh start.

Pincus covers the NBA’s salary cap for Bleacher Report and is also a part of the Sports Business Classroom, a immersive learning experience held during Las Vegas Summer League. He knows about the spending ways of NBA teams as well as anyone.

Pincus was a recent guest on the NBA Front Office show on YouTube (free plug, great show for keeping up with NBA developments) and among the topics was what teams have money to spend on free agents.

The verdict: Good news for the Pistons, not so good for virtually every other NBA team.

(Below comments start around the 20 minute mark)

"“There is no money. In my memory, I have never seen it like this. … it is the tightest market,” said Pincus. ” … There are only three or four teams that will have money. Teams could trade to have cap room, but then you have to trade with teams that have cap room.“There are ways to creatively create cap room. Basically (as of now) it’s the Pistons and the Magic, and some others could have some cap room. You go through each team and there is just not a lot of money.”"

The best guesstimate, is that Detroit will have about $25 million in cap space to spend in the off-season. That could be expanded if Jerami Grant ($20 million next year) or Kelly Olynyk ($13 million) were moved. Of course, you would have to find another NBA club with cap space to take their contracts, and there are not many.

There are few big names to go after this summer, more are expected to be available next year, so some teams might be holding off on creating cap space. Also, there is the possibility of a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) going into effect next year. Not knowing what the rules will be in the future has also made NBA teams gun-shy about making big moves now.

So the Pistons are kind of in the catbird’s seat. They have room to take toxic contracts (in return for a bunch of assets), swing trades where the salaries do not match and go after free agents, while most of the NBA is handcuffed by the salary cap.

According to Pincus. because there are so few teams capable of adding a lot of salary, teams like Detroit will suddenly pop up as possible destinations for players who are either free agents or have player options they can decline.

Pincus uses Wizards’ All-Star guard Bradley Beal as an example:

"“Like if Bradley Beal decides he does not want to be in Washington anymore, where can he go?,” asks Pincus. “That’s an issue. He can say ‘ I’m going to the Pistons’, unless you trade me, then I will opt-in. Kind of like Chris Paul when he got to Houston.“But you don’t know (yet), what is going to happen. Someone will opt-in you expected to opt-out and someone will opt-out you thought would opt-in.”"

Pincus is not saying Beal is headed to Detroit (although a Cunningham-Beal backcourt would be intriguing), but the Pistons could be used as a threat if a star player does not get his wish. If things turn really bad in their present situation, maybe a top player actually does try to sign with the Pistons, the other options are very limited.

Pincus is giving an excellent warning to Pistons fans. Expect a lot of names to be linked to Detroit in the media, most of it generated by agents, as it is one of the few plausible destinations for players.

Detroit used to be known for having bloated contracts for mediocre players. However, thanks to prudent cap management by general manager Troy Weaver (and Blake Griffin’s massive deal coming off the books), the Pistons will have money to spend this summer, while most of the NBA can only watch.