Usually when the Detroit Pistons are alone in a category it is not a good thing.
Worst team of the last five seasons, longest single-season losing streak, only team to ever choose 5th in the draft three years in a row; these are the types of categories the Pistons have habitated solely over recent years.
But there is one positive category in which they are currently the only team. The Detroit Pistons are the only team in the NBA with cap space after Utah inked Lauri Markkanen to a big extension.
But does it matter?
Detroit Pistons' cap space and why it matters
The Pistons have just over $10 million in cap space remaining, the only team in the NBA with any at all. Detroit is already above the minimum salary threshold, so they don’t have to do anything, and Trajan Langdon has made it clear that he’ll be in no hurry.
It’s not the type of money they can use to sign a big-time player, but it will come in handy down the road in one of the following ways:
-Salary dump
The Pistons have already done this with Tim Hardaway Jr. and could use their remaining space to take on another unwanted contract in exchange for draft assets. Langdon is slowly building the Pistons’ depleted stores and has already added three second-round picks since taking over.
This would not be the most exciting use of the money for those who want the Pistons to put out the most competitive roster possible, nor those who would rather they take a flyer on a young prospect instead.
-Sign another free agent
We’ve talked about some recent free agents that cleared waivers, two of which had connections to Langdon from his former team.
Matt Ryan has since re-negotiated a one-year deal with the Pelicans, so he is off the board, but there are still guys like Markelle Fultz and Dennis Smith who could help fill a void at backup point guard.
The Pistons have enough to sign anyone that’s left, but may want to save that space for a bigger move.
-A big trade
At some point before next year’s trade deadline, the Pistons are likely to trade Tim Hardaway Jr. who is on an expiring contract and could be a useful veteran to a contender trying to add depth.
If you combined his salary with the Pistons’ cap space, they could take back a deal upwards of $26 million, which shows just one way they could use their cap in a trade.
Langdon is smart to wait, as there is no hurry to spend this money and it may be more valuable down the line in other deals.
With over $10 million at their disposal, the Pistons are the last team in the NBA with cap space, let’s hope Langdon can make it matter.