When the Detroit Pistons signed Isaac Jones as an emergency backup, it seemed a no-brainer that he would cut before his contract became fully guaranteed, but the deadline came and went, and Jones is still in Detroit.
I assumed the Pistons would waive Jones before the January 10th deadline to avoid paying the bulk of his $1.95 million salary for this season, but contrary to some reporting, that didn’t happen.
There is an obvious reason for this I suppose but it does raise an interesting question about the future of Daniss Jenkins.
The Pistons are beat up and need the depth
Jones has played exactly one minute for the Pistons so far this season, even with all of the injuries to their bigs.
They were missing Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart in the last game, and Jones still didn’t see the floor, with the Pistons opting to go with two-way center Tolu Smith and Paul Reed instead.
But the Pistons are one more injury from needing Jones, which is probably why they decided it was worth it to keep him around as a “break glass in case of emergency” guy.
Jones at least has some NBA experience after playing 40 games for the Kings last season (though I am not sure that should count), and he theoretically fits their style as a guy who is known for his defense.
It was an expensive choice, as they now have to pay Jones his full salary, and he may never play, but he might have been the best choice given their options.
It will cost Tom Gores some money but could be costly for the Pistons in other ways.
What are the Detroit Pistons going to do with Daniss Jenkins?
Daniss Jenkins has played well enough to warrant a full-time contract this season, but now the Pistons do not have an open roster spot to give him.
This isn’t a decision that has to be made right away, but if the Pistons don’t convert Jenkins to a full-time deal before he plays his 50th game, he will not be eligible for the playoffs. Given the injuries they’ve had and the fact that Jaden Ivey is still working his way back, the Pistons could need Jenkins, who has appeared in 31 games so far.
If they want to convert him, they will have to waive someone and that player may end up being second-year man Bobi Klintman, who is really the only disappointment from a season in which nearly everyone else has stepped up.
They could also just cut Jones and eat the money, so it’s not like the Pistons don’t have options, but this one was certainly expensive, as they now have to pay Jones either way.