1st Salary dump trade opportunity for the Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are currently the only team in the NBA with cap space, which puts them in an interesting position. 

They still have at least one open roster spot (depending on what happens with Paul Reed) and could use that money to sign another free agent. 

They could also use it in a trade, either to add an impact talent or to take on a salary dump in exchange for future assets. Given the Pistons’ lack of first-round picks, this isn’t a terrible idea, even if they can only get second rounders in a trade, they can eventually pool and flip those to move up. 

Personally, I am dead sick of salary dumps, of the team taking on guys who can no longer play at a high level just to get a second-round pick or two. While it makes sense from a team building perspective (and is something Troy Weaver never once did effectively), it’s a cynical approach for a franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game since Ron Holland II was three years old. 

That’s a long way of saying that my hope is that the Pistons overperform, are in the mix for a play-in spot at the deadline and use that cap space to, you know, improve the team. But there is the possibility of another salary dump, and the first opportunity has presented itself. 

Detroit Pistons trade: Possible salary dump 

According to insider Marc Stein (subscription) the LA Clippers are desperate to move PJ Tucker and his $11.5 million in salary. As the only team with cap space, the Pistons could take it on without sending a significant salary back. 

If it were later in the season, the Pistons might consider this, but they can’t waste another roster spot right now when there is some amount of optimism that they can and will improve. 

There are other problems when it comes to this particular salary dump: 

The first is that Tucker almost certainly wants to be traded to a contender. He’s 39-years-old, barely played last season and this is likely to be his final go in the NBA. I doubt he wants to waste it sitting on the Pistons’ bench when there might be a contender out there he can help for a few minutes a game. 

The second reason is that the Clippers have nothing of value to offer the Pistons to take on Tucker’s salary. LA doesn’t even own a second-round pick outright until 2031, so can’t grease the deal to make it worth it for the Pistons. 

This is a good thing, as I would love to see Detroit compete and then use that dry powder to improve the team via trade at the deadline or during next offseason.