Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets Off-Season Preview

The offseason is underway for the teams that didn’t make the playoffs. I will be previewing each team’s offseason and giving insight into what they should and shouldn’t do. Included in this preview are team’s contracts, options, free agents, draft picks, and cap space. I will dive into each team’s top priorities and biggest needs as well as best draft and free agent fits. I will be starting with the teams that had the worst records and will move my way up the standings.

Detroit Pistons:

Under Contract:

  • Isaiah Stewart: 4 Years – $60M, Last Year is Team Option
  • Cade Cunningham: 1 Year Left – $13.94M (4 Years – $45.6M, Rookie Contract), Extension Eligible
  • Ausar Thompson: 3 Years Left – $28.27M (4 Years – $36.25M, Rookie Contract), Last 2 Years are Team Options
  • Jaden Ivey: 2 Years Left – $18.08M (4 Years – $32.95M, Rookie Contract), Last Year is Team Option
  • Jalen Duren: 2 Years Left – $11.02M (4 Years – $19.47M, Rookie Contract), Last Year is Team Option
  • Quentin Grimes: 1 Year Left – $4.3M (4 Years – $11.13M)
  • Troy Brown: 1 Year Left – $4M (2 Years – $8M), Non-Guaranteed
  • Marcus Sasser: 3 Years Left – 10.84M (4 Years – $13.46M, Rookie Contract), Last 2 Years are Team Options

Options:

  • Evan Fournier: Team Option – $19M, Extension Eligible
  • Stanley Umude: Team Option – $2.12M
  • Chimezie Metu: Team Option – $2.65M

Free Agents:

  • James Wiseman (RFA)
  • Malachi Flynn (RFA)
  • Simone Fontecchio (RFA)
  • Taj Gibson (UFA)

Draft Picks:

  • 5th Pick
  • 53rd Pick (From NYK)

Cap Space:

  • Projected Maximum Cap Space: $65

Top Priorities/Team Needs:

  • President of Basketball Operations: The number one priority for the Pistons is to hit on this hire. The President of Basketball Operations plays a major role in every aspect of the organization’s decision making.
  • Extend Cade Cunningham: Cade still has the potential to be the top guy on a winning basketball team. He’s only 22 years old and has plenty of time to maximize his talents.
  • Maximize their top draft pick: The Pistons already have 4 young players that are considered to be a part of their core, so they don’t necessarily have to stick with the projected 1st overall pick. They have options such as trading back to gain more assets (players and/or picks), trading the pick for veteran players, or sticking with the pick and filling in their biggest needs.
  • Veteran leadership: They need to acquire veteran players that can bring leadership and help build a culture for this young team. They need players that won’t demand high usage or a ton of shots, as they still need to focus on the development of their young players.
  • Defense and Shooting: This year, the Pistons were at the bottom of the league in both offense and defense. The players they bring in for next year need to bring value on defense and the ability to shoot.
  • Front court depth: The only players under contract in their front court are Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren. They need a few more players to build up their depth this offseason.

Draft Fits:

  • 5th Pick:
    • Matas Buzelis
    • Zaccharie Risacher
    • Cody Williams
  • 53rd Pick:
    • Pelle Larson
    • Jaylen Wells
    • Ulrich Chomche

Free Agent Fits:

  • Tobias Harris
  • Isaac Okoro
  • Naji Marshall
  • Daniel Theis

Washington Wizards:

Under Contract:

  • Jordan Poole: 3 Years Left – $95.54M (4 Years – $128M)
  • Kyle Kuzma: 3 Years Left – $64.43M (4 Years – $90M)
  • Deni Avdija: 4 Years – $55M
  • Marvin Bagley III: 1 Year Left – $12.5M (3 Years – $37.5M), Extension Eligible
  • Landry Shamet: 2 Years Left – $22.75M (4 Years – $42.5M), Non-Guaranteed, Extension Eligible, Last Year is Team Option
  • Bilal Coulibaly: 3 Years Left – $23.46M (4 Years – $30.1M, Rookie Contract), Last 2 Years are Team Options
  • Corey Kispert: 1 Year Left – $5.71M (4 Years – $16.36M, Rookie Contract), Extension Eligible
  • Johnny Davis: 2 Years Left – $12.04M (4 Years – $21.9M, Rookie Contract), Last Year is Team Option
  • Patrick Baldwin Jr.: 2 Years Left – $6.87M (4 Years – $14M, Rookie Contract), Last Year is Team Option
  • Eugene Omoruyi: 1 Year Left – $2.2M (2 Years – $3.1M), Non-Guaranteed
  • Jared Butler: 2 Years Left – $4.58M (3 Years – $5.83M), Non-Guaranteed, Last Year is Team Option

Options:

  • Richaun Holmes: Player Option – $12.88M, Extension Eligible
  • Tristan Vukcevic: Team Option – $2.42M

Free Agents:

  • Tyus Jones (UFA)
  • Anthony Gill (UFA)

Draft Picks:

  • 2nd Pick
  • 26th Pick (From LAC)
  • 51st Pick (From PHX)

Cap Space:

  • Projected Maximum Cap Space: $20M

Top Priorities/Team Needs:

  • Head Coaching Hire: This needs to be the top priority as the next head coach will need to be able to develop their young players and build a winning culture. They could promote interim head coach Brian Keefe or look in another direction.
  • Hit on this draft: The Wizards currently don’t have a number 1 or number 2 option on this team. With the projected 2nd pick in this draft, they should be able to draft a player with high upside to add to their young core. They need to more talent to this roster.
  • Trade Kyle Kuzma: Kyle Kuzma has a very good contract that can be valuable in the trade market. They should easily be able to trade him and get draft assets in return.
  • Draft Assets: The Wizards need to try to gain as many draft picks as they can. Building through the draft is the best way to form a great team, and with more draft picks the more likely you are to get star players.
  • Point Guards/Playmakers: Heading into the offseason, the Wizards don’t have a lead point guard or playmaker on this roster. This is a very young team across the board, so they would benefit from having a veteran point guard/lead playmaker to be the leader of this team.
  • Backcourt Depth: The Wizards are lacking backcourt depth, especially if they trade Kyle Kuzma. They need to add multiple players through the draft and free agency to bolster their roster.
  • Defense: They had the 3rd worst defense in the league this season. They need to focus on adding players with defensive upside and versatility this offseason.
  • Try to find a trade partner for Jordan Poole: At the moment, Jordan Poole is a negative asset, especially with his large contract. They need to attempt to find a team willing to trade for Poole, but they shouldn’t give away any draft picks to get rid of him. It’s unlikely they will find a trade partner for Poole without having to give away assets, so they will probably need to keep him on the roster for at least another year.

Draft Fits:

  • 2nd Pick:
    • Alexander Sarr
    • Zaccharie Risacher
    • Nikol Topic
  • 26th Pick:
    • Yves Missi
    • Kel’el Ware
    • Bobi Klintman
  • 51st Pick:
    • Cameron Christie
    • AJ Johnson
    • Adem Bona

Free Agent Fits:

  • Tyus Jones
  • Xavier Tillman
  • Markelle Fultz

Charlotte Hornets:

Under Contract:

  • LaMelo Ball: 5 Years – $204.5M
  • Davis Bertans: 1 Year Left – $16M (5 Years – $80M), $5.25 Guaranteed, Early Termination Option, Extension Eligible
  • Grant Williams: 3 Years Left – $40.94M (4 Years – $53.34M)
  • Brandon Miller: 3 Years Left – $38.5M (4 Years – $49.38M, Rookie Contract), Last 2 Years are Team Options
  • Cody Martin: 2 Years Left – $16.8M (4 Years – $31.36M), Extension Eligible
  • Vasilije Micic: 2 Years Left – $15.83M (3 Years – $23.56M), Last Year is Team Option
  • Nick Richards: 2 Years Left – $10M (3 Years – $15M)
  • Tre Mann: 1 Year Left – $4.91M (4 Years – $14.05M, Rookie Contract), Extension Eligible
  • Mark Williams: 2 Years Left – $10.37M (4 Years – $18M, Rookie Contract), Last Year is Team Option
  • Seth Curry: 1 Year Left – $4M (2 Years – $8M), Non-Guaranteed
  • Nick Smith Jr.: 3 Years Left – $10.19M (4 Years – $12.65M, Rookie Contract), Last 2 Years are Team Options
  • Aleksej Pokusevski: 1 Year Left – $2.27M (2 Years – $2.84M), Non-Guaranteed
  • Bryce McGowens: 2 Years Left – $4.21M (4 Years – $7M), Non-Guaranteed

Options:

  • JT Thor: Team Option – $1.99M, Non-Guaranteed, Extension Eligible

Free Agents:

  • Miles Bridges (UFA)

Draft Picks:

  • 6th Pick
  • 42nd Pick (From HOU)

Cap Space:

  • Projected Maximum Cap Space: $30M

Top Priorities/Team Needs:

  • Head Coaching Hire: The top priority for the Hornets needs to be nailing the head coaching hire. The new head coach will play a pivotal role in developing the young stars and the direction this team takes.
  • Do not bring back Miles Bridges: Bridges off the court issues are enough to not bring Bridges back. His high usage rate and shot attempts are another reason this team needs to move on from him.
  • Hit on this draft: The Hornets are projected to have the 3rd pick in the draft, and they need to add another great player to this young core. There are a lot of players in this draft that could fit with this team and add value on both offense and defense, some of which have questions about their 3-point shooting but have potential.
  • Build around LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Mark Williams: They have a solid young core with these three players. They need to start adding players around them to maximize their development and talent, but players that won’t demand high usage rates and shot attempts. It would be ideal to add 3-and-D players that can improve their defense and space the floor since they have a non-shooting big man in Mark Williams.
  • Defense: This season, the Hornets had the 2nd worst defense in the league. They have a lot of offensive-minded players but have very few players that are impactful on the defensive end. They need to look to add a couple players to improve their defense.

Draft Fits:

  • 6th Pick:
    • Reed Sheppard
    • Stephon Castle
    • Ron Holland
    • Cody Williams
  • 42nd Pick:
    • Harrison Ingram
    • Melvin Ajinca
    • Justin Edwards

Free Agent Fits:

  • De’Anthony Melton
  • Naji Marshall
  • Bol Bol

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