The Detroit Pistons need an influx of talent and will have cap space and a top-7 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft to try and get it.
The Pistons need an upgrade at guard, as they currently only have one starting-caliber guard on their team. They also need a boost at center, plenty of shooting, an elite wing defender and some more veterans.
Detroit has been attached to some of the top names in free agency, but if they strike out, they could just try to boost their depth and add more high-quality role players.
One of the top unrestricted free agents is Jalen Brunson, a guy who is a nice fit with Cade Cunningham on paper and has been playing well in the playoffs.
That fire was stoked by a recent report that Detroit was “planning a big-money offer” for Brunson, according to insider Marc Stein.
"It's going to be expensive to keep him."
— Bally Sports (@BallySports) April 26, 2022
Jalen Brunson figures to command a 4-year, $80 million contract in free agency, where the Mavs will face competition from the Pistons, Knicks and Pacers, says @TheSteinLine.
(via @BallySportsSW) pic.twitter.com/QM4IVLHk7b
The question is what a “big money offer” might look like and how much is too much for a guy like Jalen Brunson?
Detroit Pistons: The Jalen Brunson fit
Brunson is a 25-year-old out of Villanova, which would give the Pistons another smart and tough player to go along with Saddiq Bey. Building a Villanova connection wouldn’t be the worst thing, as they have produced quality NBA players who fit the Pistons’ mold.
Brunson has improved every year he’s been in the league, culminating in this season when he averaged 16.3 points and 4.8 assists on 37 percent shooting from long range. Brunson has found another level in the playoffs, where he has averaged 28.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists for the Mavericks as both the first and second option.
He would give the Detroit Pistons another playmaker who could take some of the pressure off Cade Cunningham, but Brunson is also ok being the second option, as he has been with Luka Doncic.
The Pistons are reportedly interested because of that fit with Doncic, as well as the fact that Brunson is still on the upswing, has another level, and the Pistons would be getting all of his prime years.
He fits the timeline and fills a major need, but how much is it going to cost to get him?
Detroit Pistons: How much will Jalen Brunson get in free agency?
The 2022 NBA free agent class is not loaded with star power, so Brunson is definitely going to have suitors as the #2 unrestricted free agent behind Zach LaVine.
Marc Stein mentioned a 4 year/$80 million contract, which seems about right for a guy of Brunson’s talent and standing in the league.
A lot of fans are already balking at that number, but let’s face it, $20 million a year is now the minimum wage for an NBA starter who is not on a rookie deal, but it’s quite possible that Brunson gets even more after the way he has performed on the big stage.
A 4-year contract in that range would put him with the likes of Gary Harris, Mike Conley Jr., Harrison Barnes and Jerami Grant, all guys who are quality secondary players on their respective teams. This would make Brunson around the 50th highest-paid player in the league, which seems fair.
It’s going to take at least $20 million a year to get Brunson, but that is a number the Pistons have had some success with recently.
Detroit Pistons: Jalen Brunson and Jerami Grant
When the Pistons signed Jerami Grant to a 3 year/$60 million contact, there were a lot of people who thought they had overpaid for a role player.
Grant found another level in an expanded role and has definitely earned that contract. It now looks like good value, which is why there are a handful of teams interested in trading for his services.
Even after all of the injuries and being on losing teams, Jerami Grant is still one of the best trade assets potentially on the market this offseason, so it was good value for the Detroit Pistons.
Brunson could be a similar player, as he could have another level, is a quality complementary player already and in a few years that 4 year/$80 million deal could look like a bargain.
Like Grant, Brunson could be a fairly-priced upgrade who could outplay his contract and either be a part of the long-term plans or a trade piece that would be easy to move.
If the Detroit Pistons are really interested in Brunson, as has been reported, it will be interesting to see how high they will go to get him, as Dallas is definitely worried about losing him and may pay up to keep him around.
What do you think, how much is too much for Jalen Brunson?