Retain Soon-To-Be Free Agents
Turning their attention towards free agency, the Detroit Pistons are expected to be quite busy not only retaining their current young talents but possibly pursuing another big name or two on the market.
At the NBA trade deadline this season, the Pistons acquired Marvin Bagley III in a four-team trade that resulted in them sending Trey Lyles and Josh Jackson to the Sacramento Kings.
Since joining Detroit, Bagley has played quite well, averaging 13.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and has shot 52.2% from the floor, starting in 5 of the 14 games he has played with the Pistons.
Set to become a restricted free agent in the offseason, Bagley’s future is definitely up-in-the-air at this point and while it may look like he could carry a hefty qualifying offer into free agency, The Athletic’s James Edwards III talked with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto about this qualifying offer coming down drastically.
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“I think there’s a wrinkle in the qualifying offer. If Marvin doesn’t meet the starter criteria, which is 41 games started or 2,000 minutes played, I think that qualifying offer is cut in half, to my understanding. It would be like $7.1 million. I think right now there’s no way he can reach that criteria, so I think they’re looking at a tender offer of around $7 million.
“I think that makes it a little more palpable. … Obviously, there are questions about his defense, and he was in a weird situation in Sacramento. Since he’s been in Detroit, they’re using him in the post. They’re allowing him to face up. Offensively, he’s very gifted. I still think there’s something with his shot that can come along with time. He’s only 23. I don’t think $7 million per year for a guy like that is a bad number.”
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What the Pistons decide to do with Marvin Bagley III remains a question mark, especially since a potential long-term deal could limit their ability to make moves in 2023 free agency. As of right now, early indications point outwards Bagley remaining in Detroit, however, his price tag is unknown at this time.
