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5 players Detroit Pistons could pursue with cap space from Dennis Schröder sign-and-trade
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- 5 players Detroit Pistons could pursue with cap space from Dennis Schröder sign-and-trade
The Detroit Pistons have made several moves — agreeing to deals with Caris LeVert and Paul Reed and a sign-and-trade for Duncan Robinson — in free agency. They still have at least one more move pending.
They will ship Dennis Schröder to the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade deal, a league source told the Free Press on Wednesday, July 2. The veteran guard has agreed to a three-year contract worth $45 million, according to The Athletic, and the sign-and-trade will give the Pistons additional flexibility to add to their roster.
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They can take back up to $22.6 million in salary in any Schröder deal, which could be expanded to include multiple teams. If they decide not to take back salary, they will instead gain a player trade exception worth up to $14.3 million. The trade exception is active for a year and will allow the Pistons to take in salary up to that number without it impacting their cap space.
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Here are five players around the league who will fill needs for the Pistons, and fit within their sign-and-trade salary limit of $22.6 million. NBA teams are able to officially sign players on Sunday, July 6.
G Malik Monk , Sacramento Kings
2024-25 averages:17.2 points, 5.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 43.9% overall, 32.5% from 3.
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Contract:$60.6 million remaining through 2027-28 (player option).
The veteran wing was one of the most rumored players to be sent to the Pistons in the Schröder deal, though more recent reports suggest it's now unlikely. Despite his brutal 3-point percentage last season, Monk has a track record of knocking down 3s at a high rate — particularly from the corners. He's also a strong ball-handler that can set his teammates up.
The 27-year-old could play backup minutes at the one or two. At 6 feet 3, he's on the smaller side for a guard who would play significant off-ball minutes. But with Cunningham standing 6-6, the Pistons can get away with pairing him with a smaller player.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) dunks over San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first half at Moody Center in Austin, Texas, on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.
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F Harrison Barnes , San Antonio Spurs
2024-25 averages:12.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 50.8% overall, 43.3% from 3
Contract:$19 million through 2025-26 (unrestricted free agent).
At 33, Barnes has a long track record of consistency. The 6-8 wing is a career 38.5% shooter on 3s with the size to play either forward position and the ability to score at all three levels. He's also a solid rebounder who doesn't foul often and doesn't commit many turnovers. Additionally, he has played all 82 games for three consecutive seasons — a meaningful number for a Pistons front office that has prioritized players with histories of health.
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Barnes can back up Tobias Harris at power forward or Ausar Thompson at small forward, though he has started every one of his appearances since the 2015-16 season. In Detroit , it's tough to see him being guaranteed a starting spot — but he'd still be an important rotation piece.
F Kyle Kuzma , Milwaukee Bucks
2024-25 averages:14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 43.6% overall, 30.7% from 3.
Contract:$42 million through 2026-27 (unrestricted free agent)
A native of Flint, Kuzma has long been viewed as a potential Pistons trade target. He's a high-usage power forward who has been inconsistent from 3 but good at the rim, with the ability to get hot from anywhere.
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Kuzma also has a tendency to play the Pistons well, with career averages of 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game on 48.7% overall shooting and 35.8% 3-point shooting against his home-state team. A full-time starter for most of his career, he would challenge the Pistons' first unit for a larger role.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) put up a shot against Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) in the first half at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Sunday, April 13, 2025.
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F P.J. Washington , Dallas Mavericks
2024-25 averages:14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 45.3% overall, 38.1% from 3.
Contract:$14 million through 2025-26 (unrestricted free agent).
After drafting Cooper Flagg first overall last month, it's tough to imagine the Mavericks will be able to offer Washington the same significant role from last season. He's exactly what the Pistons need at power forward — a consistent outside shooter and rebounder with the size to switch across positions.
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Although a bit undersized at 6-7, Washington can play some small-ball five as well. The Pistons could play him next to Jalen Duren or Isaiah Stewart . He can back either of them up. And he's on an expiring contract, which would give the Pistons additional means to swing a move at the February trade deadline.
F Sam Hauser , Boston Celtics
2024-25 averages:8.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 41.6% from 3.
Contract:$45 million through 2028-29 (unrestricted free agent).
Even after getting off of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday 's contracts, the Celtics remain over the luxury tax. They could look to move on from their sharpshooting wing, who begins the first year of a four-year, $45 million extension this season.
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Hauser is a specialist, with a career 42% mark beyond the arc. He has thrived in a bench role for the Celtics and would directly replace the minutes left behind by the departure of Simone Fontecchio in the Robinson sign-and-trade.
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For Summer League openers: Knicks
Matchup: Pistons (44-38 in 2024-25) vs. New York (51-31 in 2024-25), NBA Las Vegas Summer League exhibition.
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Tipoff: 6 p.m. July 11; Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas.
TV: NBA TV.
The rest of the schedule
July 13: Rockets , 4 p.m., ESPN2.
July 15: Timberwolves , 4:30 p.m., NBA TV.
July 17: Heat, 4 p.m., NBA TV.
July 18-20: Championship/consolation round.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons could use cap space from Schroder deal on 5 players
