Billups/AI trade gives Detroit obscene cap space

by Matt Watson on Nov 3, 2008 2:22 PM EST

I'm still in shock, and until this is official (which apparently will be any minute now), I'm not assuming anything. But, for the sake of argument, if this trade goes down the Pistons will be major players on the free agent market next summer. Consider this: Allen Iverson (who makes $20.8 million this year), Rasheed Wallace ($13.68 million), Walter Herrmann ($2 million) will be unrestricted free agents, and Rip Hamilton ($10.56 million) has the option to become one. All in all, that's at least $36.48 million -- and potentially as much as $47 million! -- coming off the cap.

Of course, the Pistons are already over the cap, so it's not like they can spend all of that. But if you take Billups, McDyess and Samb out of the picture, and also remove the three other soon-to-be unrestricted free agents (Rasheed, Herrmann and Alex Acker), the Pistons are on the hook for just under $38 million next season. And if you remove Rip Hamilton from that total, it's just $27.3 million.

The salary cap for next year isn't set yet, but a safe estimate is probably $60 million. In other words, if this trade goes through, the Pistons will have at least $22 million and as much as $32.7 million to spend next year. The numbers are rough estimates, but you get the point: it's a lot of jack.

You know the summer of 2010 (LeBron! D-Wade! Bosh!) that everyone talks about? Detroit is suddenly a player. Tom Ziller noted this on FanHouse, and As Henry Abbott breaks it down even more on TrueHoop:

Down, the road the Pistons becomes the driving force of big-time free agency as soon as Iverson's contract comes off the books next summer. The Pistons will combine a winning environment, one of the most respected general managers in the game, and -- depending on salary cap levels that are yet to be set, and extensions that may yet be given to existing Pistons -- likely enough cap space to sign two free agent players to max contracts over the next summers of 2009 and 2010.

Feast your eyes on this list of players who will be available. 2010 free agents include LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Ray Allen, Tyson Chandler, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Redd.

The two that jump out to me are, of course, Chris Bosh and LeBron James. They played together nicely on Team USA, and now Dumars can at least entertain the notion of signing not one of those two, but both.

Bosh and LeBron? It's not going to happen. But it could. Wrap your head around that.

Previously on DBB:
Agent: "Dice is not happy at all"
Rasheed reacts
The original "Allen Iverson to Detroit" trade
Hold on, this is happening?

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Comments

I think free agency is WAY overrated. The vast majority of big-name free agents will stay with their teams (do you really think Bosh will leave Toronto or Wade will leave Miami for Detroit??). And everyone’s gonna be after Lebron who, if he decides to move, will likely go to NY.

A truly sad day in Pistons history. This trade is bad perhaps even as bad as selecting Darko Milicic with the 2nd pick.

by Jimbo on Nov 3, 2008 2:28 PM EST reply actions

Huh? I’d much rather have the option of cap room than not. (See: Knicks, N.Y.)

This move is brilliant. Now and later.

by Bryan on Nov 3, 2008 2:34 PM EST reply actions

Why WOULDN’T Bosh leave Toronto?

He has no chance of winning a championship there.

It might be a little tougher to pull Wade out of Miami, but to act like there is NO chance of these guys leaving is ignorant.

P.S. Looks like the trade is official.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3679931

by Matt on Nov 3, 2008 2:34 PM EST reply actions

To compare trading an aging guard for another aging guard with passing on Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade for one of the biggest busts in NBA history is patently absurd.

by Gogol on Nov 3, 2008 2:35 PM EST reply actions

Darko? Seriously? We just traded a 32 yr old PG with 3 years and 40 mil on his contract AFTER this season for: one of the most enjoyable Pistons seasons in years, an at least equal chance at a title this year and, as noted, a grip of cap space if it doesn’t work…

by Satchel on Nov 3, 2008 2:40 PM EST reply actions

(What Gogol said)

by Bryan on Nov 3, 2008 2:40 PM EST reply actions

What you guys aren’t getting is that this entire move is predicated on actually getting the guys being mentioned – Bosh, Wade etc, which is anything but a given. Also, the free agent class of 2009 is pretty bare in terms of marquee talent, which means unless Iverson and perhaps Rasheed are resigned (which will eat into the ‘10 cap space), next year’s team isn’t gonna be that great.

by Jimbo on Nov 3, 2008 2:45 PM EST reply actions

The Pistons can’t recruit these players while they are under contract, as that would be tampering, but that doesn’t mean the fans can’t recruit them. If I lived in Detroit and could go to games, I’d be bringing signs trying to plant the seeds in Lebron’s and Bosh’s heads. Matt, perhaps you can get a campaign going to get something like this going. Then the reporters will pick up on it and be asking them about it.

by Sable on Nov 3, 2008 2:47 PM EST reply actions

“What you guys aren’t getting is that this entire move is predicated on actually getting the guys being mentioned – Bosh, Wade etc, which is anything but a given.”

I’m pretty sure Joe D thinks this improves the teams chances to win it all this year as well. That point is debatable, but Joe D doesn’t make this trade unless he believes it improves our chances this year.

by Jim on Nov 3, 2008 2:48 PM EST reply actions

Jimbo: No NBA free agent, former MVP Iverson or otherwise commands serious loot and years when they’re north of 33. Sheed will be 35, Iverson will be 34 at the start of the season next year. One or both could end up back here (or not) and at a much reduced rate. If Dice is really bought out by Denver and returns to Detroit, I think this is Gasol-esque in impact. Joe is seriously like a mad scientist.

by LawyerBoy on Nov 3, 2008 2:50 PM EST reply actions

So the deal is official? That’s what NBA.com is saying.

by Diablo on Nov 3, 2008 2:51 PM EST reply actions

I have to admit when I first heard about this trade I hated it. The more I look at it though the more awesome it seems.

by TW on Nov 3, 2008 2:57 PM EST reply actions

I’m with you TW.

I’m starting to like this trade more by the minute.

by Diablo on Nov 3, 2008 2:59 PM EST reply actions

Jimbo’s reaction is the first stage of grief. Once it settles in, he’ll be thinking like TW…

by Satchel on Nov 3, 2008 3:01 PM EST reply actions

i don’t want to alarm anyone, but if you look back at comments from our trade brainstorming ideas from the summer, i called this trade. and i applaud it. if i can find where i originally said it, i’ll copy and paste.

although i think i wanted to deal rip/dyess for a.i. and not billups/dyess.

by JackDutch on Nov 3, 2008 3:03 PM EST reply actions

Well as others have said this is a glorified salary move. But on the flip side you have to assume it means Rip AND AI will bolt and then you’re betting it on free agency. Question is, how desirable is Detroit for some players? Ultimatley what kept the team relevant and winning was the chemistry and the ability to accomadate. Yet every year or so we lose a key player from that core and you have to wonder if that chemistry and locker room morale is still the same in a year’s time. Should be intresting.

by prophecy_projectz on Nov 3, 2008 3:07 PM EST reply actions