Budding star extensions for Pistons to monitor at today's deadline
The Detroit Pistons have both cap space and roster flexibility as they head into the 2024-25 regular season.
Today is the deadline for many players to sign extensions with their current teams, and those that don’t will end up on the restricted free agent list at the end of the season.
This is potentially big for the Pistons, as they are one of few teams projected to have cap space next summer, so could steal a star away from their current team with a deal they can’t match.
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Here are six budding stars who could be on the restricted free agent market next offseason.
Jalen Johnson: Atlanta Hawks
Johnson and the Hawks are still far away from a deal according to insider Marc Stein (subscription), which is somewhat surprising considering he seems to be one of their building blocks.
It’s difficult to imagine the Hawks trading him, which is why this one is baffling, as they can sign him for less now than at the end of the season, especially if he has another breakout.
Jalen Suggs: Orlando Magic
Suggs is reportedly looking for $30 million a season. I don’t know about all that, but he would make a great running mate with Cade Cunningham if things with Jaden Ivey don’t work out. But Ivey looks to be on the verge of a breakout himself and if that happens, Suggs isn’t a fit.
Trey Murphy III: New Orleans Pelicans
A long forward who can shoot the lights out and defend? Yes please. The Pelicans are in a tough spot, as they didn’t trade Brandon Ingram and are not a team accustomed to going into the tax. They could just play out this season, trade BI at some point or just let him walk, so it’s doubtful TMIII becomes available, but they are taking a risk if they let him get to restricted free agency.
Jalen Green: Houston Rockets
It’s hard to see how Green would fit in Detroit, but he’s not getting an extension from Houston. He seems like one of two possibilities to be traded sometime this season as the Rockets try to add depth elsewhere to chase the playoffs.
Alperen Sengun: Houston Rockets
Sengun is also not getting an extension according to reports. The Rockets are in an interesting position with Sengun, as he was quantifiably one of the best centers in the league last season according to the stats, but the Rockets played better without him. He’s not a great defender, but he does everything else well. He and Cade Cunningham would be a powerful offensive duo, but of these two, it seems as though Sengun would be the keeper for Houston.
Jonathan Kuminga: Golden State Warriors
I’d be surprised if Kuminga finishes the season in Golden State, as there have already been rumblings that they are trying to include him in a big trade for another star player. Kuminga is interesting, as he has not even come close to his ceiling in a fairly limited role and could blow up this season. It would be funny if the Warriors traded him for an old star just to watch him blow up somewhere else.
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