Pistons face stunning roster churn with nine players in limbo

The Detroit Pistons are the number one seed in the Eastern Conference and look set up for sustainable success, so it seems strange to say that they could have a vastly different team next season. 

But Detroit only has seven players with fully guaranteed contracts for next season in Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart, Caris LeVert, Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland, Marcus Sasser and Chaz Lanier. 

That leaves nine players in some form of contract limbo this offseason, and you can be certain that not all of them will be back. 

It starts on the fringes, but the Pistons will also have big decisions to make in the starting five. 

Isaac Jones and Bobi Klintman aren’t long for Detroit 

Jones was lucky to get his contract fully guaranteed this season, and Detroit may have some interest in bringing him back on some kind of deal, but it’s more likely he walks. 

Bobi Klintman’s deal is only partially guaranteed, and he’s shown next to nothing so far, so we could see the Pistons eat his remaining money and let him walk as well. These two represent $4 million in cap space and haven’t played, so the Pistons can find more efficient uses of that money. 

Javonte Green and Daniss Jenkins: Flashes in the pan? 

Javonte Green has been the season’s best surprise for me, as he has evolved into a key bench player for JB Bickerstaff and has shockingly been one of their most reliable 3-point shooters, especially from the corner where he is hitting 45.5 percent on the season. 

I could see the Pistons bringing back Green on another minimum deal if he’s up for it, as he’s been a great value player this season. 

JB Bickerstaff played 11 players last night, but Daniss Jenkins wasn’t one of them. He’s been struggling mightily lately, which is a problem for the Pistons, who may have put too much on him too soon. 

He has a team option for next season, and as of right now, I’d say it’s 50/50 whether the Pistons exercise it. Jenkins is great as a back of the bench ignitor but hasn’t proven he’s ready for full-time backup point guard duties yet. If they need his cap slot, or find an upgrade, Jenkins might not be back. 

Paul Reed and Duncan Robinson are valuable veterans but... 

Both Paul Reed and Duncan Robinson have partially guaranteed contracts for next season. In the case of Reed, it’s hard to imagine the Pistons finding a better third center for the price, so he’ll probably be back. 

However, Reed has also played well enough to attract the attention of other teams, so I won’t be shocked when his name is in trade rumors this summer. 

Robinson is a harder call, as his $15 million salary is more of a hit, and the Pistons may need it if they want to make a big trade. Robinson has been very good this season, but he shouldn't be a starter at this stage of his career. 

He’s another guy who could be back depending on the trade market. 

Tobias Harris and Kevin Huerter are likely gone 

Unless something wild happens between now and the end of the season, it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which Kevin Huerter is on the Pistons next season. 

He’s making nearly $18 million, and though he won’t sniff that on his next contract, the Pistons need to find more consistency.  

Harris is a much more difficult call. I’d love to see him back on a veteran’s minimum deal to finish his career with the Pistons, but barring him agreeing to that, it will be difficult to bring him back. 

Harris can still play, so it’s not like he washed, but if the Pistons are going to make any serious upgrades this summer, they can’t afford to keep paying Harris like a starting power forward. 

If they could do a one-year deal for a lower annual salary than he's on now, it might be worth it, as Harris would be a good mentor for his replacement, but they do need to find that replacement. 

Jalen Duren will be back, but at what cost? 

The Pistons look foolish for not extending Duren now that he’s an All-Star, but there is still likely a gap between what he’s going to want this summer and what the Pistons should give him. 

As good as he has been this season, it’s still hard to envision Duren as a max guy, as he’s not a true second option, and there are lots of players in the NBA who can catch lobs. Duren does more than that now, but now much more can they expect? 

Will he develop a jumper? Be more consistent facing up? Be more consistent on defense? 

Duren has certainly improved enough for a monster raise and to cement himself as part of the foundation, but his next contract isn't a black and white decision. My guess is Duren will get slightly less than the max, and he’s the most likely of these players to return next season.