The Detroit Pistons had a lot of summer league players come out of nowhere and stand out in Las Vegas. WIth training camp looming, there are possibly three current players who should be looking over the shoulder, concerned they could get bumped off by one of them.
Many Pistons fans were displeased the most anticipated players mostly sat at the NBA summer league in Las Vegas. While not seeing much of Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart and Killian Hayes was disappointing, one positive of this was unknown players got a chance to show what they have..
Names like Jules Bernard, Charlie Moore, Stanley Umunde, Braxton Key and Balsa Koprivica became familiar to the (die-hard) Detroit fans that watched the final few games.
Detroit went 23-59 last year, so the players projected to be near the bottom of the roster should feel a little uncomfortable about their standing. Healthy competition is always good for a team anyhow.
According to salary watchdog site Spotrac, Detroit has 15 players with guaranteed contracts for next season. To flat out cut someone, the Pistons would have to eat their salary, something they have done in the past, most recently with Dzanan Musa and Deividas Sirvydis.
Those were individuals with small salaries and one year remaining. For more than one player, the dead money does add up. Of course, general manager Troy Weaver could always see a vet losing a battle for a roster spot, and attach them to be part of a trade, this sending their salary also away.
So who are the three most likely Pistons players to lose their spot to a summer league player
With its extra cap space, the Pistons probably will be invited to be part of trades. This could solve the numbers problem, if it comes up.
So being replaced does not always mean getting cut and booted to the street. It might simply make a player more available to be traded.
3. Nerlens Noel
With Jalen Duren looking so good in summer league in the three games he played, the previous need to have another rim-running defensive-oriented center is lessened.
When the second trade with the Knicks was made, it was assumed that Duren, who does not turn 19 until late November, would be taking a redshirt year. But that may not be the case.
Former Grizzlies executive John Hollinger, going over the surprises of summer league for The Athletic (PAID SUBSCRIPTION NEEDED) said Duren looked like a capable starting center.
With Detroit having just signed Marvin Bagley III to a three-year, $37.5 million contract, center/forward Kelly Olynyk being the highest paid player on the team, and Isaiah Stewart also looking very good shooting three-pointers in summer league, the post position is getting kind of crowded.
Noel is on an expiring contract and could certainly help another team looking for a backup center.
Detroit would have options to replace Noel.
If Detroit wants to fill his spot with a developmental big.,7-footer Balsa Koprivica had a double-double against Cleveland and made 80-percent of his shots in Las Vegas.
Braxton Key, who played well for the Pistons late last season, is 6-foot-8, 220-pounds and could be moved up from his current two-way contract to the main club.