Pistons Clear Cap Space; Deandre Ayton Next?

On Wednesday, the Detroit Pistons successfully traded forward Jerami Grant to the Portland Trailblazers.

Detroit swaps 2022 second-round picks -- getting 36 for 46 -- with Portland, too. Denver gets a 2025 second-round pick back from Portland, and Portland sends the most favorable 2026 second-round pick between Portland and New Orleans to Detroit, sources said. https://t.co/c8M8TlEgoY
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2022

While a plethora of second-round picks were swapped in the move, the Pistons were able to accomplish two things: Gaining a first-round pick (albeit in the future in 2025, and top four protected), and more cleared cap space.

The 2025 first-round pick via Milwaukee is protected Nos. 1-4, sources said. Detroit sends Grant into a $21M trade exception, and Pistons now have $43 million in salary cap space for free agency.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2022

Detroit now has the capacity to essentially go out and sign anybody on the open market.

Detroit's Interest in Deandre Ayton

Detroit has also been rumored to covet Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, who is a restricted free agent heading into free agency. Many NBA insiders predict the Suns will deal Ayton in a sign-and-trade, and the Pistons appear to have the most wiggle room to get the job done.

Through two separate times in the offseason, the Pistons were given the highest odds by sportsbooks to land Ayton.

"Ayton's most realistic landing spots outside of Phoenix appear to be Atlanta, Detroit and Toronto, which all would present intriguing sign-and-trade opportunities for the Suns," said Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer.

Not everybody is on the train, as The Athletic's James L. Edwards III said Detroit wouldn't pursue the baggage and money that comes with Ayton.

Would Pistons Pay the Max for Deandre Ayton?

"Ayton, obviously, is the best of this group. I do think Detroit will do its due diligence and go after Ayton at a reasonable price, but I don’t get the sense the Pistons will break the bank for him. Weaver and Co. will do their homework. The background noise on Ayton hasn’t been great over the past month," said Edwards.

"Robinson, to me, is the most realistic of these three names. He’ll be the cheapest and would fill a void on the roster. I’m sure Detroit will have real competition for his services, but Robinson makes the most sense from a financial and roster standpoint. As for Sexton, I think it depends on the price, much like with Ayton."

This was weeks ago, so the thinking may have changed after the trade went through and Detroit intentionally cleared up cap room.

Ayton's Best Bet Might be Detroit

Should a sign-and-trade be the ultimate goal for both parties, Ayton has certainly expressed the desire for getting the most money on a max extension, and it appears the Pistons were once well positioned to make that happen.

Bleacher Report also reported earlier this offseason the Pistons were aiming to sign a young center in free agency. Ayton obviously fits that mold.

Now, after the Grant trade, reality for Ayton landing in Detroit is now closer than initially thought. The Pistons can go after anybody and throw them a large contract, and numerous indications throughout the offseason suggest Ayton is their guy for the future.

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