Pistons Rumors: DET Open to Being 'Dumping Ground' for Unwanted Contracts
The Detroit Pistons are open for business.
Rather than being a player in free agency this offseason, ESPN's Zach Lowe reported Thursday that "Detroit has telegraphed to other teams that it would rather operate as a dumping ground for unwanted salaries, hoarding picks in the process, sources say."
That will make the Pistons a popular team for contenders looking to bolster their roster via trades, even if it means including the Pistons as a third team to make salary matching work.
One example of a team that could engage with the Pistons is the Philadelphia 76ers, who almost assuredly will try to shed Al Horford's contract this offseason, given how poorly he fits with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
A straight-up trade between the teams could be tricky. Would either team be thrilled with Horford and the No. 21 pick for Derrick Rose? Detroit might legitimately want more than that to take on the $81 million remaining on Horford's deal over the next three years. That's a lot to pay a 34-year-old center who, while still a solid contributor, is far past his prime, all while also losing Rose's 18.1 points per game.
And the Sixers might question whether Rose—who shot 30.6 percent from three last season—is the best fit on a team that desperately needs shooters around Embiid and Simmons. Rose would fill one need in Philly, based on the team's lack of primary ball-handlers who can create their own offense, but he wouldn't space the floor in a meaningful way.
That could mean a franchise like Philly would instead engage the Pistons as a third team in a deal to balance out the financials. And that, of course, is just one example of a team that could contact them, looking to offload big salaries in exchange for draft capital. It's a smart approach for the rebuilding Pistons to take after finishing last season 20-46. Teams need to use every asset they have to increase their chances of landing star players, even if it's cap space in exchange for draft picks.
