Detroit Pistons cap space after trade with Wizards

The Detroit Pistons have been like a dirt farmer dangling a carrot in front of a beleaguered donkey for the last three seasons and unfortunately, the fans are the donkey.

First, it was the promise of high draft picks and future superstars, then it was the promise of financial flexibility, and the Pistons being nimble enough to make a big move.

So far that big move hasn't come, as Troy Weaver has punted his cap space into salary dumps, draft busts and middling veterans who have not helped the young players develop or put any wins on the board.

He'll have cap space again next summer, as the Pistons just freed up some more with their recent trade of Marvin Bagley III and Isaiah Livers to the Washington Wizards.

Detroit Pistons cap space after the Marvin Bagley III trade

This trade was really all about getting off the final year of Marvin Bagley III's contract, which is why the Pistons had to pay two second-round picks to get rid of him.

If they use that money to add an impact talent or fill their roster with quality role players who complement their core, then this will be a great start to the huge overhaul that has to happen to this roster.

The Pistons are going to have the money to do it. According to Keith Smith at Spotrac, the Pistons will now have $50.3 million in cap space if they decide to pick up the last year of Bojan Bogdanovic's contract and a whopping $66.1 million if they just buy him out after the season for $2 million.

This would put the Pistons in position to sign at least one max player or to spread it around and build depth for their terrible bench. Names like Tobias Harris, Pascal Siakam and Buddy Hield have all been mentioned, but will any of them want to come to Detroit?

Building through free agency has not been a successful strategy for the Pistons in the past, so they could try to trade for one of these players (or someone else) before the deadline and get the inside track on re-signing them, which would be a risk.

So the Pistons will once again head into the offseason with a big wad of cash, but will they spend it on players who can help the team win or just go for more draft busts and salary dumps?