With the completion of a sign-and-trade with the Sacramento Kings, the Detroit Pistons acquired a traded player exception (TPE) for $14.3 million this upcoming season. It doesn’t mean a move is coming immediately, but after the Pistons gave up a second-round pick to acquire the exception, there will be a move in the future, possibly for a veteran point guard.
No players came back in the trade and now the Pistons are left with an exception to add another player and more salary through the trade exception. Whatever players they get back to fit under the exception must make a combined total less than $14.3 million, which does somewhat limit their options. Let’s take a look at some potential trade targets that fit one of their biggest positional needs, backup point guard.
Detroit Pistons rumors: Potential trade targets
The top options at backup point guard who make under the TPE and could realistically be traded are Cole Anthony (Jaden Ivey’s nemesis) Coby White and Gabe Vincent. Davion Mitchell could be another name to watch later in the season if the Miami Heat struggle coming out of the gate.
Amongst these names, White is easily the best player and a legitimate force on the offensive end. Last year, he averaged 20 points a game on solid efficiency and impressive three-point volume (37% with 7.9 attempts per game). The problem with picking up White would mostly be financial: he is in the final year of his contract next year and likely expecting a large raise afterwards. He has improved significantly from his current $12.9 million salary but he may demand more in his next contract than he is really worth or more than the Pistons can pay.
Cole Anthony and Gabe Vincent are serviceable options at backup point guard as well, although both have their limitations. Neither shot the ball particularly well last season and both are on the smaller side. Anthony did have a solid defensive season for the Magic but they ultimately shipped him out in a trade for Desmond Bane. Davion Mitchell, on the other hand, is a more complete player who has earned a good defensive reputation and shot the 3-ball pretty well last year, especially in his tenure with the Heat. However, he just recently signed a new contract with the Heat so they may not be willing to give him up right away.
Dennis Schroder’s departure has left the Pistons lacking in proven point guard depth, and they were unfortunately not able to get a player back to fill that void in the ensuing sign-and-trade. However, they do have some more flexibility with the TPE generated from that to now pursue other targets who can fill that role. The Pistons might also opt to go for a point guard by committee approach when Cade Cunningham is out of the game. But if they do use the exception to get a proper backup, a steady hand with quality shooting will be the top priority.