Detroit Pistons: Important deadline today could present opportunity
Top NBA players yet to sign a rookie extension
Tyrese Maxey
The Philadelphia 76ers may end up regretting this gamble, as Maxey will be one of the top free agents on the market next offseason. Yes, he will be restricted, but some team could come in with a monster max offer that the 76ers are unable to match. But a lot can happen between now and then, and it will save Philly cap space to wait on extending Maxey, whose new deal could start at around $34 million per season according to Bobby Marks of ESPN (SUBSCRIPTION). The Pistons will be one of the nine teams who will have cap space to offer Maxey a full max contract, but the 76ers will be able to offer an additional year, so they still have the inside route to keeping him.
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Jaden McDaniels
If you read my work much then you know McDaniels is my guy. I’ve been waiting nervously for the Minnesota Timberwolves to offer him an extension, but it now appears it is not coming, which is great news for the Detroit Pistons. With three max players at the top of their payroll, it will be difficult for Minnesota to keep McDaniels without a trade of one of their max guys (Karl Anthony-Towns would be my guess) or going past the second tax apron, which would be a very Un-Minnesota thing to do. McDaniels is an elite defender at the power forward position, shot the 3-ball at nearly 40 percent last season and is only 23, right in line with the Pistons’ young core. He’d be a perfect fit with Jalen Duren and would give Detroit the 3-and-D four that they currently lack. Let’s hope he doesn’t sign today so that Detroit has a shot of stealing him in restricted free agency next summer.