FanPost

Lazchance 2015 Pistons Offseason Plan Project

Start with the principals:

PG
Brandon Jennings- $8,344,497
Spencer Dinwiddie - $845,059

SG:
Jodie Meeks - $6,270,000
K. Caldwell-Pope - $2,891,760

SF:
(Josh Smith Stretch - $5,400,000)
Quincy Miller - $981,348 (guaranteed until July 11)

PF:
Anthony Tolliver - $3,000,000

C:
Andre Drummond - $3,272,091
(Aaron Gray Stretch - $452,049)

Those are the guaranteed contracts for next season, totaling $31,456,804.

Step 1: Dream the impossible

Pistons sign PF Kevin Love for 2 years, $38,000,000

Without a doubt, Kevin Love is the single best player the Pistons could add this offseason. A rebounding stretch 4 who under-performed in Cleveland, Love would immediately form an impact frontline alongside Andre Drummond. In this scenario, the Pistons offer the large, two-year deal Love desires, enabling him to sign for even more money after the cap rises in 2017 and the Pistons to retain his services to that point.

Pistons 2015 salary: $50,456,804
NBA 2015 salary cap: $67,000,000
Room left under 2015 cap: $16,543,196

Step 2: Pay what is owed

Pistons extend PG Reggie Jackson for 4 years, $40,000,000

Showing flashes of greatness (along with sustained bouts of inaccuracy) after being traded to Detroit, Reggie Jackson takes less money than he was originally offered by the Thunder to facilitate the Love acquisition, and to thank the front office and coaching staff for believing in him enough to acquire him at last year's deadline. Jackson obtains what he's always desired: The top guard spot on an NBA roster, with the paycheck to match.

Pistons 2015 salary: $60,456,804
NBA 2015 salary cap: $67,000,000
Room left under 2015 cap: $6,543,196

Step 3: With the 8th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons select...

Stanley Johnson, from the University of Arizona

The big forward from Arizona fills an immediate need on the wing for the Pistons, who are ecstatic to get Johnson after Justise Winslow goes to the Knicks at #4 and Mario Hezjona goes to the Denver Nuggets at #7. On draft night, Johnson shakes hands with Commissioner Adam Silver, then, during his interview, belts out "DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTT BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSKETBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL" in perfect sync
with ESPN analyst Jalen Rose, immediately endearing himself to Detroit fans and the league as a whole.

Pistons 2015 salary: $62,825,104
NBA 2015 salary cap: $67,000,000
Room left under 2015 cap: $4,174,896

Step 4: With the 38th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons select...

Dakari Johnson, from the University of Kentucky

The 19-year old seven-footer is drafted by the Pistons to grow into the role of rim protector and future backup to Andre Drummond.

Pistons 2015 salary: $63,332,440
NBA 2015 salary cap: $67,000,000
Room left under 2015 cap: $3,667,560


Step 5: Duck, Duck, Goosed

Pistons DECLINE Caron Butler team option for $4,500,000
Pistons DECLINE Shawne Williams team option for $1,356,146
Cartier Martin OPTS INTO player option for $1,270,964

With little room left under the cap, President of Basketball Operations Stan Van Gundy is left little choice in the matter of the team option of Caron Butler; Butler is a fine player, but not worth paying the tax over.The decision is easier with regards to Shawne Williams; Williams simply did not play well enough to necessitate picking up his option.

With only pups Stanley Johnson and Quincy Miller as competition for small forward minutes, along with a sub-par 2014-2015 season, Cartier Martin decides it's better for him to take the guaranteed money this year and play his way into playing time and a new contract in 2015-2016.


Final 2015 Detroit Pistons Roster:

PG
Reggie Jackson - $10,000,000
Brandon Jennings- $8,344,497
Spencer Dinwiddie - $845,059

SG:
Jodie Meeks - $6,270,000
K. Caldwell-Pope - $2,891,760


SF:
Josh Smith Stretch - $5,400,000
Stanley Johnson - $2,368,300
Cartier Martin - $1,270,964
Quincy Miller - $981,348 (guaranteed until July 11)

PF:
Kevin Love - $19,000,000
Anthony Tolliver - $3,000,000

C:
Andre Drummond - $3,272,091
Dakari Johnson - $507,336
(Aaron Gray Stretch - $452,049)

Pistons 2015 salary: $64,603,404
NBA 2015 salary cap: $67,000,000
Room left under 2015 cap: $2,396,596

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