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3 Pistons free agency predictions for NBA free agency 2024 – Detroit Free Press
Detroit Pistons enter Sunday evening and the start of 2024 NBA free agency with the second-most cap space, behind only the big-fish hunting Philadelphia 76ers.
Not many other teams are swimming in cap space, positioning the Pistons for rare flexibility to serve as a dumping ground for unwanted salary in exchange for draft capital, and/or to take shots at luring a few mid-to-lower tier free agents by outbidding other cash-strapped teams.
The NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, signed one year ago, restricts high-spending teams with numerous hard caps. Accordingly, the Pistons have already made two deals to take on salary, moving up 16 spots in the second round Thursday in exchange for taking on Wendell Moore Jr., and on Friday receiving three future second-round picks for acquiring Tim Hardaway Jr.’s overpriced contract and sending back Quentin Grimes.
With that in mind, here are some Pistons predictions for free agency, the first under new president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon:
THE PRIMER:Pistons in NBA free agency: Cap space priorities, 8 names to watch
THE NEW GUY:Pistons abruptly hire J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach
Free agency opens Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, with negotiations allowed between teams and all upcoming free agents. Deals can be can be signed officially starting Saturday at 12:01 p.m.
The top free agent is Paul George, with plenty of solid starters and depth pieces on the market, including James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Klay Thompson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
The Pistons have several free agents, both unrestricted and restricted.
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