NBA Rumors: James Wiseman's $15.9M Pistons Qualifying Offer Declined, Will Be UFA
Jun 29, 2024
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 27: James Wiseman #13 of the Detroit Pistons shoots a free throw during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 27, 2024 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
James Wiseman is going to be an unrestricted free agent after the Detroit Pistons declined to extend him a qualifying offer.
HoopsHype's Michael Scottoreported the Pistons decided against extending a $15.8 million one-year tender to the 23-year-old center.
Wiseman was able to carve out a niche with the Pistons after being acquired from the Golden State Warriors in February 2023. He's averaged 8.6 points and 6.1 rebounds in 87 appearances with Detroit over the past two seasons.
There's very little chance Wiseman will ever live up to the hype from when he was selected with the No. 2 overall pick by the Warriors in the 2020 NBA draft. He struggled during his time in Golden State, which included missing the entire 2021-22 season due to a knee injury.
Going to the Pistons afforded Wiseman an opportunity to develop his game in a lower-pressure environment. His 119 offensive rating during the 2023-24 season was the second-best of his career.
Wiseman's defensive deficiencies will always limit his ceiling, but in short bursts as a scoring option, he can be a positive rotation player.
The Pistons are in such dire straits right now that committing $15.9 million on a one-year tender, or potentially matching an offer sheet for Wiseman, wouldn't seem to make sense from a roster-building standpoint.
Detroit is set to potentially start free agency on Sunday without a head coach in place. Monty Williams was fired after one season on June 19. New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego reportedly removed himself from consideration for the job.
The Pistons are the only team left that made a coaching change after the season yet to hire a new person.
NBA Rumors: Pistons Decline Evan Fournier's $19M Contract Option Before Free Agency
Jun 29, 2024
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 17: Evan Fournier #31 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball during the game on March 17, 2024 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
After being acquired by the Detroit Pistons in a midseason trade, veteran guard Evan Fournier will be in search of a new team this offseason.
According to The Athletic's James L. Edwards III, the Pistons are declining the $19 million option on Fournier's contract for the 2024-25 season, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Fournier had spent the last year and a half toiling away on the New York Knicks bench before being shipped to Detroit at the 2024 trade deadline as part of a six-player deal. He went from a veteran-laden Knicks team to becoming the second-oldest player on the Pistons, who continued to struggle amid their ongoing rebuild and finished the year ranked last in the Eastern Conference with a 14-68 record.
After playing just three games with New York prior to the Feb. 8 trade, Fournier appeared in 29 games in Detroit and was primarily used in a bench role, averaging 7.2 points in 18.7 minutes of action.
The 31-year-old began his NBA career in 2012 after being selected with the 20th pick in the draft by the Denver Nuggets. He has also played for the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics in his career, and in his prime, he was a reliable source of offensive production.
Fournier shouldn't be counted on as a primary offensive option at this stage, but his veteran presence would likely be welcomed on most rosters across the league. He should have a solid market for his services this summer.
Mavs, Pistons Rosters, Salary Cap After Tim Hardaway Jr., Quentin Grimes Trade Rumors
Jun 28, 2024
DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 13: Tim Hardaway Jr. #11 of the Dallas Mavericks warms up before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at American Airlines Center on March 13, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Tim Hardaway Jr. is on the move.
The Dallas Mavericks agreed to trade the veteran guard and three second-round picks to the Detroit Pistons on Friday in exchange for guard Quentin Grimes, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
Wojnarowski added that the picks involved are the Toronto Raptors' 2025 second-round pick and two 2028 second-rounders.
It is a pure cost-cutting move on Dallas' part since Hardaway is set to earn $16.2 million next season, while Grimes will make only $4.3 million.
Following the trade, here is a look at the current roster construction and the 2024-25 salaries for both the Mavs and the Pistons:
Following the deal, Spotrac projects that the Mavericks have $181.079 million in total cap allocations, putting them $40.079 million over the cap, but $14.893 million under the first apron and $25.724 million under the second apron.
As for the Pistons, Spotrac projects they have $161.430 million in total cap allocations, are $20.430 million over the cap, and are $74.314 million under the first apron and $85.145 million under the second apron.
There was speculation Hardaway would be moved along with the No. 10 overall pick dating back to before the 2023 NBA draft.
While that didn't happen, it didn't take long for more rumors to circulate.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported in June 2023 that the Mavericks were exploring trades involving the son of Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway since the end of the 2022-23 regular season.
However, Dallas was unable to trade him until now when he has just the 2024-25 season remaining on a contract that previously paid him $17.9 million in base salary in 2023-24.
Hardaway came to the Mavericks from the New York Knicks during the 2018-19 season as part of the trade that also brought Kristaps Porziņģis to Dallas. He has always been a solid secondary scorer throughout his career, and that will likely be his role on his new team.
The Michigan product averaged 15.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 41.7 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from deep across six seasons with the Mavericks.
However, Hardaway saw a role reduction during the team's run to the 2024 NBA Finals and averaged just 4.4 points in 12.7 minutes per game in the postseason. It seemed like a change of scenery was potentially in order, and that is exactly what happened.
Still, he spaces the floor and can take advantage of openings created by go-to options like he did in Dallas with Luka Dončić.
As for Grimes, the Mavs are getting a player who was the No. 25 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft and spent parts of three seasons with the Knicks before getting traded to Detroit last season.
In 168 career regular-season games, Grimes owns averages of 8.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest.
Bobi Klintman NBA Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Pistons Roster
Jun 27, 2024
CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 13: Bobi Klintman of the Taipans warms up prior to the round 15 NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Adelaide 36ers at Cairns Convention Centre, on January 13, 2024, in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)
Bobi Klintman's decision to play professional basketball in Australia last season paid off after he was selected with the No. 37overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
The Detroit Pistons ended up landing Klintman after acquiring the pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves via trade.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report
Player: Bobi Klintman
Position: SF/PF
Height: 6'8"
Pro Comparison: De'Andre Hunter
Scouting Report: After playing at Wake Forest last year, Bobi Klintman went to the NBL and held his own, playing mostly a similar role that called for spot-up shooting, play-finishing and defending both forward spots. Flashes of transition ball-handling, live-dribble passing and driving point to more scoring upside, but right now, teams will be more intrigued by his versatility as a combo forward who can play as a big wing or stretch 4.
Klintman came to the United States from Sweden to play college basketball. He spent one season at Wake Forest in 2022-23 and averaged 5.3 points per game in 33 appearances.
After playing sparingly for the Demon Deacons, Klintman went back overseas to sign with the Cairns Taipans of the National Basketball League as part of the Next Stars program. He looked much better against pro competition than at Wake Forest with 9.7 points on 44 percent shooting and 4.8 rebounds per game in 23 appearances.
Even though Klintman is a project at this point in his career, the upside of a wing player with long arms who can disrupt shots from an opponent and potentially be able to handle the ball as he gets more refined is a risk worth taking.
Ron Holland NBA Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Pistons Roster
Jun 27, 2024
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 13: Ron Holland smiles during the 2024 NBA Combine on May 13, 2024 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images)
Ron Holland has gone from being the best player on the G League Ignite team to the No. 5pick in the 2024 NBA draft after the Detroit Pistons selected him Wednesday evening.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report
Player: Ron Holland
Position: SF
Height: 6'8"
Pro Comparison: Cam Whitmore
Scouting Report: Holland's game is all about using his speed and burst to attack open floor, closeouts and ball screens. His size and quickness also create encouraging defensive potential against guards and wings. His trajectory will ultimately come down to how well he develops his self-creation skills and shooting consistency, both of which yielded mixed results in the G League.
Coming out of Duncanville High School last year, Holland was a 5-star prospect and No. 1 recruit in the country before deciding to sign with the G League Ignite.
Holland was a standout on the Ignite squad. He averaged a team-high 18.5 points and ranked second with 6.7 rebounds per game in 15 appearances. His season was cut short due to a thumb injury that he didn't want to risk doing further damage to.
The 18-year-old only made 23.9 percent of his three-point attempts with the Ignite. If Holland can develop his skills as an outside shooter, he could end up being the steal of the draft because of his size and speed allow him to impact the game on both ends of the court.
NBA Trade Rumors: Mavs' Tim Hardaway Jr. Linked to Pistons as Potential Landing Spot
Jun 25, 2024
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 12: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots a three point basket during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 12, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons have emerged as a possible landing spot via trade for Dallas Mavericks wing Tim Hardaway Jr., per longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein.
The Mavs are reportedly "motivated," per Stein, to trade away Hardaway, who has one more year at $16.2 million left on his contract.
Hardaway averaged 14.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 26.8 minutes over 79 games last year. However, he pretty much fell out of the rotation in the playoffs, to the point where he played just 63 total minutes in the Western Conference Finals and NBA Finals combined.
Hardaway, 32, would make sense for Detroit. The Pistons are coming off a 14-68 season and have entered a brand-new era with Trajan Langdon now running the basketball operations. The team is also searching for a new head coach, signaling a fresh start in town.
With Hardaway carrying an expiring contract, a trade seems ideal so that Detroit could clear that money off the books in 2025 (or perhaps agree to a buyout with the former Michigan star beforehand). The Pistons are far away from contending right now, so stockpiling young talent and clearing the cap seems like the best option.
Hardaway seems ready for a new challenge and fresh start. His father, NBA legend Tim Hardaway Sr., notably responded to an Instagram comment Sunday with this since-deleted remark: "Yes they are. And we want to have a new opportunity to shine. We didn't like what happen[ed]. We are ready to go."
It appears the Mavs could be on the same page as Hardaway looks for a new NBA home.
The 11-year NBA veteran has suited up for the New York Knicks (two different occasions), Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks. He's been on the Mavs since 2018 and has averaged 14.0 points on 41.8 percent shooting (36.0 percent from three) and 2.9 rebounds for his career.
NBA Rumors: Tobias Harris Targeted by Pistons, Jazz in Free Agency After 76ers Stint
Jun 25, 2024
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 14: Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons are expected to target Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris in free agency, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
"I'm told that the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons are expected to be the strongest suitors for Harris going into free agency," Charania said on Monday.
"I'm told the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons are expected to be the strongest suitors for (Tobias) Harris going into free agency."@ShamsCharania has an update on a possible Tobias Harris destination pic.twitter.com/AyefdF93BY
Although Harris' production has remained steady over the past few seasons, he was never able to live up to the massive five-year deal worth $180 million that he signed with Philadelphia in 2019.
Throughout 70 starts during the 2023-24 season, he averaged 17.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while shooting 48.7 percent from the field and connecting on 35.3 percent of his three-point attempts. He took on a passive role during the 76ers' first-round playoff defeat against the New York Knicks, recording just 9.0 points in 36.3 minutes per game throughout six contests.
Although the Jazz already have All-Star Lauri Markkanen at the power forward spot, he's shown that he's more than capable of playing center. However, it may be difficult for head coach Will Hardy to find enough minutes to justify the potential addition of Harris with forward John Collins still under contract for the 2024-25 season (via Spotrac).
Harris is familiar with Detroit, appearing in 157 games with the Pistons from 2016 until he was traded in 2018. While he doesn't fit perfectly into the team's long-term plans at 31 years old, the Pistons are still attempting to surround Cade Cunningham with talent after finishing with a league-worst 14 wins in 2024.
Despite the underwhelming end to his time in Philadelphia, Harris should still have several potential suitors in free agency.
NBA Rumors: Pistons Eye James Borrego as HC After Cavaliers Hire Kenny Atkinson
Jun 24, 2024
CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 7: Head Coach James Borrego of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during the game against the Orlando Magic on April 7, 2022 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
After missing out on vacancies with the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, James Borrego is reportedly considered a "prominent" candidate in the Detroit Pistons' coaching search.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Borrego could have a leg up in the search after previously working with new Pistons president Trajan Langdon with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Borrego served as an assistant coach under Willie Green last season in New Orleans. The 46-year-old previously interviewed for head-coaching jobs with the Lakers and Cavaliers but missed out on both jobs. The Lakers hired former NBA guard JJ Redick, while former Brooklyn Nets coach Kenny Atkinson landed the job in Cleveland.
The Pistons fired Monty Williams last week after just one season, taking on $65 million in owed money to move on. Williams led the Pistons to a 14-68 record during his lone year with the franchise, struggling to connect with the roster's young players and frustrating fans with his rotation choices.
The failed Williams hire did more than just cost ownership money; it also pushed back the Pistons' rebuild plan by another year. Detroit has won no more than 23 games in any of the last five seasons and has dropped from 23 wins to 14 since 2021-22. That's not the sign of a rebuild going well.
The Pistons brought in Langdon to oversee basketball operations this offseason, with former GM Troy Weaver stepping down earlier this month. Langdon had been David Griffin's second-in-command with the Pelicans since 2019.
Borrego's coaching history suggests he should be a strong fit in Detroit. A longtime assistant of Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, Borrego was previously the Charlotte Hornets' head coach from 2018 to 2022. The Hornets did not make the playoffs in any of Borrego's four seasons at the helm but went 43-39 in his final season with the franchise and were seemingly on an upward trajectory.
Charlotte has won 48 games combined in the last two seasons since Borrego's dismissal.
Pistons' Trajan Langdon Says He 'Can't Give' HC Hire Timeline amid Atkinson Rumors
Jun 22, 2024
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 30: The Detroit Pistons logo is pictured on the court before the game against the Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena on October 30, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
After being hired as the Detroit Pistons' new President of Basketball Operations in May, Trajan Langdon will now guide the franchise in a head coaching search following Monty Williams' firing.
The Pistons dismissed Williams on Wednesday and now owe the former head coach $65 million. Detroit is now searching for its next coach, but Langdon doesn't yet know how quickly the team will find one.
"I can't give you a timeline," Langdon said at his introductory press conference on Friday, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).
While he has no timeline yet, Langdon does have an idea of what he's looking for in the team's next head coach.
"I think somebody who is a really good communicator is important," Langdon said, per the Detroit Free Press'Ahmad Garnett. "Somebody who is a good collaborator is important. And I don't mean just with the front office, I mean with (the) performance team, I mean with our nutritionist, with our mental skills coach, I mean there has to be collaboration throughout this organization at all times. So we're aligned."
He also recognized that the next coach will need to be willing to buy into the rebuild and help develop Detroit's young roster.
"When I think somebody who is really good into development and is passionate about it, we talked about our young players, our young core, and they are good young men, but they're talented," Langdon said. "So we have to have somebody who has the patience but also has the desire to the players and not skip steps. So those are some of the qualities that we're looking for a new head coach."
The Pistons are still early into their coaching search, but they reportedly have plans to interview Dallas Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney, Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego and former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
Another possible candidate could be Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson as NBA insider Marc Stein reported Friday that he is "gaining steam" for the role.
The Pistons are one of just two teams left without head coaches—the other being the Cavaliers. Borrego and Atkinson have both been linked to Cleveland, so Detroit would likely have to act swiftly if it wants to hire either of those candidates.
NBA Trade Rumors: Hornets, Pistons Seen as 'Clear' Partners for Unwanted Contracts
Jun 21, 2024
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 11: The Charlotte Hornets logo on a uniform against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on March 11, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
A pair of rebuilding teams are reportedly seen as trade partners to take on other teams' unwanted contracts this offseason.
Per Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, teams around the league consider the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets to be possible organizations willing to take on "unwanted salary" for future pieces and draft picks.
"League executives view both Detroit and Charlotte as clear trade partners to absorb unwanted salary in exchange for future assets and draft capital," Fischer wrote.
For Detroit, finding a new deal with forward Simone Fontecchio is an expected move this offseason. From there, Fischer reports the Pistons will look to add pieces that can help their rebuild.
"The Pistons are expected to use some portion of their $50-plus million in room to find a new agreement with trade deadline acquisition Simone Fontecchio, sources said," Fischer wrote. "Yet for the league's worst team, which recently dismissed head coach Monty Williams after previously parting ways with general manager Troy Weaver, Detroit could surely stand to add to its war chest as opposed to overpaying for veteran talent that would marginally improve the Pistons."
The Hornets, who made a few moves at the trade deadline, have a decision to make with forward Miles Bridges, and Fischer reports Charlotte could move on from him this offseason.
"Charlotte already conducted its business at February's trade deadline as a clear rebuilding seller," Fischer wrote. "The Hornets have the impending free agency of forward Miles Bridges to sort through now. And while Bridges could command upward of $30 million, sources said, the Hornets are also believed to be open to parting with Bridges by way of sign-and-trade, should a productive opportunity present itself. Charlotte, sources said, held conversations with Brooklyn about swapping Bridges in a package that would have brought Ben Simmons to the Hornets in February. Sacramento was another team that inquired about Bridges at the deadline, sources said."
Both the Hornets and Pistons finished near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings in the 2023-24 season, and it's clear both are from being contenders. With the right moves this offseason, the two teams could set themselves up well for the future.
