Pistons need big production below the $10 million mark

The Detroit Pistons have a sizable gap in their payroll between Cade Cunningham and everyone else and will even if/when they finally sign Jalen Duren. 

There is a second tier of payroll that includes everyone making over $10 million, but even with Cunningham and Duren, that’s only six players, most of whom will be making between $11-17 million. 

The Pistons have one of the cleanest cap sheets in the NBA, but with that comes with increased need for production from the guys making less than $10 million next season, which is most of the team. 

The Pistons payroll requires production from the middle down 

As of right now, the Pistons have 10 players on the roster set to make less than $10 million next season, though that may change by the time the season rolls around. 

This is a good thing, as it not only gives the Pistons flexibility, but a pile of contracts they could potentially aggregate in a trade. All of the deals are short term and all of them could easily be moved if the Pistons need matching salaries at the deadline. 

But until then, the Pistons will need production. 

Javonte Green, Taurean Prince and Gary Harris 

Harris wasn’t able to get on the court much for a bad Milwaukee team next season, so don’t be surprised if he’s not on the roster by the time next season starts. 

But the Pistons will need Green and Prince to provide backup minutes at the four, and most importantly, to continue to hit the corner 3-point shot at a high rate. 

We could see both of these players in the rotation at various points in the season, and if they can hit shots, they’ll provide great value for money as they are making just $7.6 million combined.

Kevin Huerter and Ron Holland II 

Huerter may end up being the league’s highest paid bench warmer if he can’t crack the rotation, but his acquisition was more about the future than the present. 

Both of these guys will need to hit 3-point shots, especially Holland, who has to provide some kind of offense if he wants to be in the playoff rotation. 

They are making a combined $17 million, so it would be great to get that kind of production out of this combination of players when it comes to defense and scoring. Maybe there's a good two-way wing here if you combine both of them.

Daniss Jenkins and Ebuka Okorie 

The Pistons need ball handling, so one or both of these guys are going to have to step up in the backup and third point guard role. 

It would be tough to trust a rookie in that role right away, so Daniss Jenkins will once again be a very important player for the Pistons in terms of ball handling and playmaking. 

Okorie will likely be used more as a sparkplug scorer off the bench, but it’s crucial that both of them take care of the ball and make plays for teammates as well as themselves. 

BBall Paul Reed

I wrote about the possibility of Reed breaking out in an expanded role, so I won't belabor the point, but he has a chance to be one of the best value deals in the NBA if he provides the kind of production he has over increased minutes.

The Pistons have the advantage of a flexible and relatively cheap payroll from the middle down, but they need to get something out of these guys to complement the players at the top of the payroll. 

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