Detroit Pistons: Why the Wiseman trade looks even dumber now

The Detroit Pistons and The Contract

The reason given for trading a productive player for basically a lottery ticket is that Saddiq Bey is eligible for a contract extension this summer, and his representatives told the Pistons, he wants to get paid. 

OK, but if this is the reason, it is kind of shortsighted, as:

• Wiseman, being from the same draft class, is also eligible for a contract extension. You might get away without inking Wiseman now because he is such an unknown, but its the same contract status as Bey.
• This is a decision that could have been pushed off for a year. Bey is under contract for the 2023-24 season. Detroit could have waited and seen how Bey fit with what should be an improved lineup with Cunningham, Ivey, Bogdanovich, Hayes and a high draft pick rookie (Wembenyama, Brandon Miller, Scoot Henderson). If the Pistons want to make a move next year, that would have been the smart decision.
• Bey can ask for a ‘bag’ but that does not mean he will get it. Remember, back in 2017, when Kentavious Caldwell-Pope thumbed his nose at Stan Van Gundy and his $80 million contract offer and demanded a max contract? How did that go? Not well financially for KCP.  Bey is a super-good guy and a hard worker, but, the bottom line is, he has been an inconsistent shooter and is a mediocre, at best, defender who struggled against athletic wings.
• The Pistons have oodles of salary cap space in the future. According to Spotrac, Detroit will have $47 million of practical cap space next season and a whopping $125 million for 2024-25.

If Bey played well next season, and Detroit chose to retain him, it is hard to believe the Pistons would not have enough ammunition to outbid any team,

And Bey would be a restricted free agent. Detroit could match any offer, if they so choose, and keep him. It is hard to believe, knowing the Pistons grand canyon of available cap space, another NBA team would offer Bey a ‘insane’ number. He simply is not a franchise player.

Conclusion

Three months later, swapping Wiseman for Bey still makes no sense. If Jalen Duren continues to develop (and there is no reason he shouldn’t), this trade looks even worse.

We know general manager Troy Weaver loves big men, but Wiseman is superfluous on the current roster. Even if does become the player he was projected to , how would people know with four players divvying up playing time for – at best- two positions.

Even if, worst case, Bey left after next season for free agency, at least Pistons fans would get a look at the long-awaited draft rebuild of Bey, Stewart, Cunningham, Hayes and also 2023 first rounder, and see how they would do healthy and together.

Sorry, still seems like a dumb move.