Positioned to be major players in trade market

The Detroit Pistons didn’t follow the free agency outline many expected.

In separate deals on Friday, they acquired 6-foot-6 sharpshooter Joe Harris, 6-1 point guard Monte Morris, two future second-round picks and $2.1 million in cash in exchange for Balsa Koprivica’s draft rights, a future second-round pick and $110,000. Nearly all of their $30 million in cap space was absorbed by the salaries for Harris ($19.9 million) and Morris ($9.8 million). They still have their $7.7 million room exception, but it was a quiet, asset-minded series of moves by the front office.

They didn’t bring in a big name such as Cameron Johnson or Kyle Kuzma, but their moves open the door for them to make a big talent upgrade sooner rather than later. Here are three observations on their free agency period thus far:

They have far more flexibility in the trade market

Following Friday’s moves, the focus has shifted to the 2024 free agency class. The Pistons could open around $60 million in cap space next summer after acquiring Harris and Morris, both of which are on expiring contracts, and could be a major player in a class that includes Pascal Siakam, Dejounte Murray and Domantas Sabonis.

But they may not have to wait that long. The Pistons now have multiple veterans on reasonable, expiring contracts in Harris ($19.9 million), Burks ($10.5 million) and Morris ($9.8 million) — positioning them to be players at the trade deadline, or even this offseason. Bojan Bogdanovic ($20 million) can also be considered an expiring contract, as only $2 million of his $19 million owed in 2024-25 is guaranteed.

The Pistons could simply opt to flip those players at the deadline in exchange for more assets. Contending teams always need shooting and playmaking, and they can take on bad salaries for draft picks or young talent. But they can also take a bigger swing, should they wish to double-down on a playoff push.

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