Teams in cap hell the Pistons should target for Cade Cunningham's next partner

The Detroit Pistons may be looking for a major addition next summer and could target teams in need of financial relief. 

Trajan Langdon has pieced together a very good team this season, but the Pistons have still failed to find Cade Cunningham a starting-level shooting guard to play with. An injured Jaden Ivey is the best he’s had to work with so far in his career, which is something that needs to change. 

This doesn’t mean the Pistons need to go all in for a two-guard, as they have more pressing needs at the four, but they may be able to make an impact addition by targeting teams looking to cut payroll, and there are two that immediately come to mind. 

The OKC Thunder are not usually a tax team: Enter Cason Wallace 

The OKC Thunder have already banked a title and will look to add a second this year, but starting next season, they will be in unfamiliar territory, as they are projected to be the most expensive team in the NBA. 

As of right now, the Thunder are projected to be $27 million into the second apron, the only second apron team in the NBA. It doesn’t seem likely they will stay there, especially considering they have a surplus of guards. 

Cason Wallace is the name everyone will be watching, though it seems the Thunder will likely look elsewhere to make cuts. 

OKC has so much guard talent it’s ridiculous, so could look to move Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins or Jared McCain, one of whom might interest the Pistons. 

With Nikola Topic also on the come up, the Thunder are going to have to make tough calls, and the league will be waiting to pounce on whoever they decide to jettison. 

The Orlando Magic are at a crossroads with their current roster 

The Magic have won five straight to move up to the five spot, and are starting to look like the team that many had penciled into the top three of the Eastern Conference this season. 

A few weeks ago, it would have been easier to envision the Magic as a seller next summer, as they were languishing around the 7-8 seed and have a roster that is about to get way more expensive with Paolo Banchero’s max extension kicking in next season. 

The Magic are projected to be nearly $6 million into the first apron, so are looking at some serious tax fines, which isn’t ideal if your team is mediocre and needs changes. 

It seems unlikely that the Magic would trade Jalen Suggs, but they will have four players on max or near-max contracts next season, plus another $32 million combined wrapped up in Wendell Carter Jr. and Jonathan Isaac. 

They are looking at a monster payroll and tax bill for next season, and with Anthony Black having a breakout season, Suggs may actually be expendable. 

The Thunder and Magic are not teams accustomed to being in the luxury tax, and the Pistons could take advantage this summer to poach Cade Cunningham an upgrade in the backcourt.