As the team with the most cap space, the Detroit Pistons have positioned themselves to take advantage of teams with tax problems this summer.
How do the salary, luxury and tax aprons work in the NBA?
For a quick understanding of how the salary tax, luxury tax, and apron taxes work, here’s a breakdown. Each team is allowed a set salary to pay their roster, called the salary cap. Owners, however, are easily able to surpass this set number if they are willing to pay a luxury tax. This essentially allows big market teams to afford a more expensive roster by simply paying a fee.
Beyond that, however, is where it gets confusing. Once your roster salary exceeds a certain threshold, the apron taxes are triggered. The first apron tax is once you blow past the luxury tax, and you then see some punishments such as teams cannot acquire a player in a sign-and-trade if that player keeps them above the apron, teams cannot sign a player waived during the regular season whose salary was over the $12.2 million midlevel exception, etc. Finally, the last and most punished threshold is the second apron in which the same punishments from the first apron are enforced, and then some.
So how do the apron taxes affect the Pistons? Teams that are not quite able to win it all, yet are still within the first or second apron tax will essentially be forced to ship out talent to shed salary. Detroit is in a perfect position to take advantage of this and get themselves a star. So, within the first and second Apron teams, who could Detroit try and steal? Let’s take a look.
For reference, the Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Lakers, Heat, Nuggets, Celtics, Warriors, Suns, and Bucks are expected to be over. However, the Nuggets, Celtics and possibly Bucks will likely deal with their punishments as they are firmly in a position to win it all.
Minnesota Timberwolves - Karl Anthony-Towns
Karl Anthony-Towns has been linked to other teams, including Detroit for sometime now. It’s almost a forgone decision that KAT will be the cap casualty thanks to Minnesota being over the apron tax, allowing the Twolves to build around Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Robert. Detroit could take on his contract, and it would give them one of the best spacing bigs in the league. The biggest hold up for some Detroiters would be his lack of drop defense, and having the big man come off his meniscus tear. This is all under the belief that Minnesota decides they want to get out from the apron at all.
L.A Clippers - Terance Mann or Paul George
There are two players on the Clippers that could fall prey to the apron tax. Both Terance Mann and Paul George will demand more money than the Clippers are likely able to offer, as long as they don’t want to deal with the apron punishments. If Detroit were to be interested, Mann would give them a young 6-foot-5 guard with a a career three point percentage of 37 percent. Paul George, on the other hand, is a proven talent. He fits Detroit's positional need, is able to score, and his defense is better than everyone on the current Pistons roster. His age, however, would be a major sticking point on whether making a move for him would be viable. Fans want a franchise shaking addition, PG would be just that.
Denver Nuggets - Michael Porter Jr.
If you are a team being threatened by the apron tax, it likely means you will be forced to move on from a valued piece or two. That could be exactly the case for the Nuggets. Now, I already mentioned that a team like Denver could simply put up with the second apron tax punishments because they are in complete win-now mode. If they don’t, a groundbreaking move could be in play for Detroit. Denver could decide that Michael Porter Jr. Is on the wrong side of the apron tax. MPJ gives Detroit size, shooting, and perfect positional fit. They could afford the young star and would change the direction of this team. At the moment, Porter Jr. Is shooting 40 percent from three, 57 percent from two. This would be a dream deal for Detroit.
L.A Lakers - Max Christie
LA is almost at a cross road with LeBron close to aging out, yet they still project to be above the apron tax. For the Lakers, it’s likely a young piece that is going to quickly become too expensive if they are attempting to run it back for another year or two. Max Christie, who played his college ball here in East Lansing, could be a target for Detroit. Max, in his young career, is shooting just under 38 percent from deep, and has improved month after month as he gets more experience. The 6-foot-6 wing would slide well into the three position, and give Detroit a nice weapon that will most definitely continue to develop.
Miami Heat - Caleb Martin or Tyler Herro
The Heat, much like the Nuggets, might be close to being forced to move on from a valued piece to their roster. Tyler Herro signed a new, $30 million contract, and Caleb Martin is not far behind. If Miami decides to get below the threshold, and continue forward with Butler, Bam, rookie Jaime Jaquez, and one of the two that isn’t moved, the other should be available. Both Herro and Martin can shoot the leather off the ball, while also creating for themselves if need be. Miami has Jaquez they will need to be thinking of shortly, and Detroit could be in a position to snag either of the high level scoring wings.
Golden State Warriors - Jonathan Kuminga
Kuminga has taken some time to come along in the NBA, but has done a good job since officially ‘arriving’. The Warriors dynasty is all but over, and we see some guys moved here shortly. It’s more likely they move on from older talent such as Draymond Green or Klay Thompson, but if they are hesitant to break up the 2018 band, Kuminga is due for a large pay day coming up, and Detroit could be the ones to give it to him. Jonathon is averaging 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and over 1 stock per game. The 6-foot-8 wing is able to explode towards the basket or space the floor if need be. Detroit could most definitely afford the young star.
New Orleans Pelicans - Brandon Ingram
A name that has been more and more recently connected to other organizations is Brandon Ingram. While the Pelicans are currently projected to be below the apron, it’s a common thought that they may be forced to choose between a few of their stars here shortly. Focusing on Zion, Herbert Jones, and Trey Murphy, the Pels may have BI on the outside looking in, a position Detroit should absolutely jump at. I have completely talked myself into the Pistons going out and getting Ingram. His career 36 percent three point shooting, along with his length and 21 points per game would be welcomed here in Detroit.