The new tax rules have made it even more important for teams to find production at the bottom of their payroll and that will be the case next season for the Detroit Pistons.
The only way to be able to afford the big salaries at the top is to have productive salaries at the bottom, which the Pistons did masterfully last season with Malik Beasley, who was one of the best shooters in the league and made $6 million.
He’ll be making a lot more next season if the Pistons are able to retain him, which is why it will be crucial to find new low-cost production in other areas. That could mean finding players in free agency or trades of hopefully getting breakout seasons from some of their own roster.
Bobi Klintman
Klintman only appeared in eight games for the Pistons after suffering an early season injury and going through some predictable growing pains in the G-League.
But he theoretically provides something the Pistons desperately need, which is more size and shooting from the wing. Klintman isn’t a true four, more of a jumbo wing, but if he could knock down some 3-point shots from the bench next season, he could provide cheap insurance for Tobias Harris and give the Pistons another floor spacer.
Klintman is on a minimum deal that pays him just $1.9 million next season, so any production out of him would be a nice bonus and potentially allow the Pistons to invest future assets elsewhere.
Marcus Sasser
I thought Sasser was fantastic this season in the role he was afforded. He never knew when he was going to play but was always ready and always seemed to make an impact off the bench.
Sasser can shoot it and is one of the only players the Pistons had who could really create his own shot off the bench this season until they acquired Dennis Schroder.
The Pistons need Sasser to step into a bigger role and provide more volume 3-point shooting, especially if Detroit is unable to bring back Tim Hardaway Jr.
Sasser makes just $2.8 million next season, so will need to justify himself before the Pistons pick up his option for 2026-27, as it jumps up to $5.1 million, which could still represent value if Sasser makes a leap next season.
Ron Holland II
The Pistons’ overall improvement next season may rely mostly on their two young wings, as they need leaps from both Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland.
Holland is poised for a much larger role off the bench after having a solid rookie season in which he played in all but one game that he lost to suspension.
We know he can defend, and we know he can score in transition and around the rim, where he already has an impressive bag for a 19-year-old.
Holland needs to be a better shooter, but he also needs to mature mentally and physically to make the next jump. More strength will increase his efficiency and finishing around the rim and allow him to defend bigger guys. Mentally he needs to grow up a bit. I love Holland’s spirit, but he gets drawn into too much nonsense.
He also had some struggles in the playoffs with decision making that got him benched, but these are all small quibbles for a teenager who showed real promise as a rookie. If he can bump his minutes up to 20 a game and be closer to a double-digit scorer on decent 3-point shooting, it will be a big boost from a guy still on his rookie deal.