The Detroit Pistons are on the verge of making a significant move, which could happen within the next few hours. After waiving Paul Reed on Saturday, the team now has 13 players on the roster and has dipped below the salary cap floor. This makes the Pistons unique, as they have 24 hours to get back above the cap floor.
With $15.5 million in cap space and two open roster spots, Detroit is currently the only team with significant cap space. This gives them more room than any other team has with the $12.89 million tax mid-level exception. The timing of Reed’s waiver is intriguing, as it comes just before December 15th, when 90% of the league becomes available for trades.
The Pistons’ front office now faces a crucial decision. They could sign a veteran minimum player from free agency, elevate a G League player, or potentially make a trade. The fact that no move has been announced yet suggests that a trade might be in the works.
One area of concern for the Pistons is their center rotation. Without Reed, the team is left with limited options behind Stewart and Duren. This could potentially lead to more minutes for Marvin Bagley III at the five, or even experimenting with Isaiah Livers in small-ball lineups.
The team’s recent struggles add another layer of complexity to this situation. Over the last 12-14 games, Detroit ranks 25th in net rating and 23rd in defensive rating. They’ve lost a significant number of games, and if it weren’t for a standout performance by Cade Cunningham against the New York Knicks, their record would be even worse.
As the Pistons look to get back on track, they’ll need to address their defensive issues and find ways to generate more offense beyond Cunningham. The potential addition of a new player could provide a much-needed spark for the team.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pistons’ roster situation, tune into the Locked On Pistons podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pistons Podcast:
• Potential trade targets for Detroit
• The impact of injuries on the team’s performance
• Analyzing Cade Cunningham’s recent play and his importance to the team
