With the Game 7 loss to Cleveland, it’s officially time to start preparing for the offseason.
This article will be an overview of the roster with details of each player’s contract (or lack thereof) and what it means for the team moving forward.
Set to Return
1. Cade Cunningham
Cunningham will make $50.1 million next season and has four years and $223 million left on his contract. He’s scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in 2030.
2. Isaiah Stewart
Stewart will make $15 million next season and has
two years for $30 million left on his contract. He has a team option on his final year in 2027 and is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2028. Given how costly the center position is about to become for Detroit, Stew is my sleeper pick for being moved this summer.
3. Caris LeVert
LeVert will make $14.8 million next season. It’s the last year on his deal as he’s set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2027. I’d expect to see this contract paired with pick #21 in many fake trade proposals this summer.
4. Ausar Thompson
Thompson will make $11.1 million next season. It’s the last year of his rookie deal and he’s scheduled to be a restricted free agent in 2027. However, he’s extension-eligible this summer and I’d expect it’ll be the first thing Detroit’s front office gets done this summer.
5. Ron Holland
Holland will make $9.1 million next season and has two years and $20 million left on his rookie contract. He’s scheduled to be a restricted free agent in 2028. While he didn’t see many minutes this postseason, he is Trajan’s first draft selection and I would expect him to be in Detroit next year, but I could see him thrown into a bigger deal this summer.
6. Marcus Sasser
Sasser is set to make $5.2 million next season. Like Thompson, it’s the last year of his rookie deal and he’ll be a restricted free agent in 2027. I don’t expect Detroit to extend Sass and view him as salary filler.
7. Chaz Lanier
Lanier is set to make $2.2 million next season and has three years and $7.5 million left on his rookie deal. His contract has a team-option in 2028 before he’s scheduled to be a restricted free agent in 2029.
Partial/Non-guaranteed Contracts
1. Duncan Robinson
Robinson will make $16 million next season, but it’s only $2 million guaranteed. He still has two years and $31 million left on his contract, but his final year is non-guaranteed. Detroit could cut Robinson this summer to save $14 million, or his contract could be an interest to other teams looking to cut costs over the next year or two. Yet, he’s really the only pure shooter Detroit has and I expect him to be on the team next year.
2. Paul Reed
Reed will make $5.6 million next season and is on the final year of his deal as he’s set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2027. None of his $5.6 million is guaranteed so cutting him this summer would save Detroit money, but I believe Reed will see an even bigger role on the court for the Pistons next season.
Team Options
1. Daniss Jenkins
Jenkins may have been the biggest surprise of this season as he worked his way from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal. He is set to make $4 million next season and will be a restricted free agent in 2027. I would not be surprised to see Detroit reject his team option and sign him to a longer deal with more years to lock him up long term for cheap. I expect him to be the backup PG to start next season.
2. Tolu Smith
Smith was the other player to earn a standard NBA deal from a two-way contract and he’ll make $2.4 million next season. Depending on what Detroit does with its center position this summer, it would not surprise me to see Smith start the season as the third string center.
Free Agents
1. Tobias Harris
Harris finished his two-year deal worth $52 million and he made $26.6 million this season. I would fully support bringing Harris back given the locker room impact he can have, but if this team is going to take another leap, I think they need to acquire a forward that forces Tobias to the bench. If Harris would accept the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (NTMLE) at roughly $15 million, I think he’d be a great combo-forward off the bench next year.
2. Kevin Huerter
Huerter finished his four-year deal worth $65 million and he made $18 million this season. He played for the Kings, Bulls, and Pistons throughout his contract and rarely saw playing time for Detroit. If they need a movement shooter off the bench, Chaz Lanier has them covered. I don’t expect Huerter to return.
3. Jalen Duren
Duren finished his four-year rookie deal worth $19.5 million and made $6.5 million this season. He heads into the summer as a restricted free agent after not receiving an extension from the front office last year. I fully expect Duren to be back, but the million dollar (or $200 million) question is what JD is worth. He’s eligible for a five year deal worth $239 million, but could reach roughly $287 million if he expectedly makes an All-NBA team. After his disappointing performance in the playoffs, his next contract will be a hot topic of discussion this summer. How much is too much for this front office?
4. Javonte Green
Green signed a one-year deal with Detroit last year and made $2.3 million. I enjoyed having him on the team this year as his play exceeded my expectations. If he’s interested in returning on a minimum contract, I’d be happy to have him back.
What say you, DBB? What’re your thoughts on the Pistons roster heading into next year?
Go Stones.
