The Detroit Pistons have cap space to spend this summer and could use it in a number of ways to improve their roster.
With somewhat limited options in free agency, they could try to swing a trade in which they take back a big contract to help another team clear cap space in exchange for some type of asset.
One team that might be looking for such a trade is the Philadelphia 76ers, who were just crushed in game seven of the second round after a dud of a game from their two stars.
The 76ers now have a lot of decisions to make, as they could potentially lose James Harden in free agency and will have to find a way to replace his production.
They could bring Harden back and do this season again, or they could look to swing some trades to free up cap space and try to make a splash in free agency.
If so, the Detroit Pistons could be a possible trade partner.
Detroit Pistons: Trading with the Philadelphia 76ers
Philly could try to move 30-year-old Tobias Harris to clear some cap space, as the forward is set to make $39 million next season. He actually led the 76ers in scoring in game 7 and played 40 minutes, so Harris is still a big part of the Philadelphia rotation.
Moving nearly $40 million of a guy who just averaged 14 points per game (albeit on good shooting splits) won’t be easy and Philly may have to attach an asset to get it done.
In this trade, Philadelphia gets Bojan Bogdanovic and around $19 million in cap space for next season. Bojan Bogdanovic is a better 3-point shooter and arguably a better fit around Joel Embiid. It would also allow the 76ers to grab another player in free agency to make up for the potential loss of Harden.
The Pistons get a younger player on an expiring contract who is a proven veteran scorer. Harris shot 38.9 percent from 3-point range this season on 4.4 attempts, though he’s known more for his scoring in the mid-range, so might not be as good a fit with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.
The question is whether adding a non-lottery first-round pick is worth using most of the cap space. And would Philly even be willing to give one up just to get rid of one year of salary?
This one is not a no-brainer for either team, but gives an idea of the type of trade the Detroit Pistons could make using their cap space.