Restricted free agency has been one of the biggest talking points of this off-season. There were four big restricted free agents from the 2021 draft class and all four had different experiences with their teams this summer. Next year, the Pistons could have two restricted free agents of their own in Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, but they will need to operate very differently from the teams this summer.
The Pistons have an actual plan for their potential restricted free agents
It’s important to note that the teams with restricted free agents this summer are all in vastly different timelines than the Pistons. Two of the teams - the Bulls and the Nets - are still in the tanking phase of their rebuild, and were unsure how much to pay a player who will likely not be part of their next great team. The two other teams - the 76ers and Warriors - are in a much older phase of contention with aging stars and young up-and-comers who don’t really fit the rest of the team.
Next off-season, the Pistons will be in a much more harmonious position with their young players. The roster’s timeline is clearly built around Cade Cunningham and they have clear plans for their young stars. If the team hesitates to secure Ivey or Duren for a long-term contract, it definitely won’t be because of the timeline.
Restricted free agency combined with the increasingly harsh salary cap rules have largely created leverage for teams rather than young players. However, the leverage can dwindle when that player is an important part of the team‘s future. The threat of losing Ivey or Duren for nothing is a much bigger danger for the Pistons than the loss of any restricted free agents this summer.
The Pistons also don’t want to risk damaging team chemistry too much if they are close to true contention one year from now. Getting a deal done sooner rather than later will be key to keeping all of their young players happy and will give them more freedom next off-season to make big moves.
Ivey and Duren have already shown the ability to contribute as solid starters. The current hangups on their contract extensions likely stem from whether or not the Pistons view them as true potential stars in the future. Acquiring a costar for a Cade Cunningham is paramount to building a championship roster, and the Pistons must be careful where they allocate co-star money.
Many fans are expecting this summer‘s free agency drama to foreshadow the Pistons 2026 off-season but it’s not necessarily a direct representation. The Pistons’ coherent timeline puts them in a much less confused position than this year’s RFA teams and should allow them to reach a conclusion regarding their 2022 draftees much sooner.