RealGM Basketball Wiretap

21 January 2025

• Pistons May Be Deadline Buyers; Not Considering Major Moves

  The Detroit Pistons have considered pivoting from asset-collection mode to being buyers at the trade deadline. Detroit has just over $14 million in cap space to use to make trades ahead of the deadline. Earlier this season, it was expected Pistons GM Trajan Langdon would use that space to take on bad contracts, while continuing to add draft picks and young talent.

  Now, Detroit's strong play ahead of the deadline has Langdon reconsidering that approach. But don't expect any blockbuster moves. Rival teams have said that the Pistons don't seem to be considering any major moves. Instead, Detroit appears focused on making smaller, but targeted upgrades to their roster.

• Teams Monitoring Pat Connaughton Availability

  Rival teams are monitoring the availability of Pat Connaughton, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  The Bucks are currently $6.5 million over the second apron, with Connaughton making $9.42 million this season.

  Connaughton also has a player option for the same amount next season.

  The Pistons, who have $14 million in cap space, are seen as a logical destination for Connaughton.

• Pistons Considering Pivot Away From Renting Out Cap Space At Trade Deadline

  The Detroit Pistons have $14 million in cap space and are $44 million below the luxury tax, which they have intended to rent out to rival teams who either need to save money or to facilitate bigger trades. But with the Pistons in the playoff picture, sources say they are adjusting their strategy and will consider trades to upgrade their roster and for flexibility next season.

  Cade Cunningham could be an All-Star this season and the team is significantly more competitive under J.B. Bickerstaff a year after they went 14-68 with a record-tying 28 straight losses.

  The additions of competent veteran shooters like Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr. has also played a role in their improved play as Cunningham is now operating with more space.

  Trajan Langdon is in his first season running the Pistons after replacing Troy Weaver.

• Pistons Sign Ron Harper Jr., Tolu Smith To Two-Way Deals, Waive Alondes Williams, Cole Swider

  The Detroit Pistons have signed Ron Harper Jr. and Tolu Smith to Two-Way deals. The Pistons have waived Alondes Williams and Cole Swider.

  Harper was in training camp with the Boston Celtics and has played for the Maine Celtics of the G League this season. In 15 G League games, Harper is averaging 13.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 23.0 minutes. Harper played in 10 NBA games across the previous two seasons with the Toronto Raptors.

  In nine G League games this season, Smith is averaging 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 27.9 minutes.

• Jaden Ivey Diagnosed With Broken Fibula In Left Leg

  Jaden Ivey has been diagnosed with a broken fibula in his left leg and will miss at least the remainder of the regular season. Ivey exited Wednesday's game on a stretch after sustaining the injury when Cole Anthony slipped and fell into Ivey's planted leg while going for the ball. Ivey was in obvious distress as he grabbed for his shin, and Detroit's medical staff quickly attended to him.

  Ivey is averaging 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists for the Detroit Pistons in his third NBA season.

  Ivey will be eligible for a contract extension in the 2025 offseason and will otherwise become a restricted free agent in 2026.

• Jaden Ivey Stretchered Off Floor With Lower Left Leg Injury

  Jaden Ivey sustained what appeared to be a severe injury to his left lower leg in the fourth quarter of the Detroit Pistons' eventual win over the Orlando Magic.

  Cole Anthony slipped and fell as he and Ivey went for the ball. Anthony's momentum carried him into Ivey's planted leg, knocking Ivey to the floor. Members of the training staff held up towels to block the crowd's view of the injury and players from both teams formed a circle around him. Ivey was loaded onto a stretch after a lengthy delay.

  Players from both teams consoled both Ivey and Anthony after the incident.

• Cade Cunningham, Victor Wembanyama Named NBA Players Of Week 9

  Cade Cunningham and Victor Wembanyama have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for Week 9.

  Cunningham averaged 27.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 12.7 assists as the Detroit Pistons went 2-1.

  Wembanamya averaged 36.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 7.0 blocks as the San Antonio Spurs went 2-0.

• Pistons, Paul Reed Agree To One-Year Minimum Contract

  The Detroit Pistons signed Paul Reed to a one-year minimum deal, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  The contract is fully guaranteed for the season.

  With the Pistons now meeting the salary floor, they have $14 million in cap space ahead of the trade deadline.

• NBA Francises Collectively Worth $138 Billion, Average Of $4.6 Billion

  The Golden State Warriors have become the second most valuable franchise in sports at $9.14 billion, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys at $10.3 billion. The Warriors are joined in the top-3 by the New York Knicks at $8.3 billion and the Los Angeles Lakers at $8.07 billion.

  Collectively, the NBA's 30 teams are worth $138 billion, including real estate held by owners and team-related businesses, such as WNBA franchises. The average NBA franchise valuation is now $4.6 billion and has a value-to-revenue multiple of 11.9, which is above all other leagues.

  The NBA has a significant drop off from the Lakers at No. 3 as they are worth 42 percent more than the Brooklyn Nets at No. 4 with a valuation of $5.7 billion.

  The 30 NBA teams generated an estimated $11.6 billion last year, or $387 million per club. The concert business has been a major revenue driver for NBA teams who own and control their own arena. The Lakers and Boston Celtics are the only teams in the top-10 who do not control their arena.

  2024 NBA Valuation Rankings
  1. Warriors: $9.14 billion
  2. Knicks: $8.3 billion
  3. Lakers: $8.07 billion
  4. Nets: $5.7 billion
  5. Clippers: $5.66 billion
  6. Celtics: $5.66 billion
  7. Bulls: $5.56 billion
  8. Heat: $5 billion
  9. Rockets: $4.77 billion
  10. Raptors: $4.66 billion
  11. Sixers: $4.57 billion
  12. Mavericks: $4.46 billion
  13. Suns: $4.32 billion
  14. Kings: $4.11 billion
  15. Hawks: $4.07 billion
  16. Nuggets: $4.06 billion
  17. Wizards: $3.98 billion
  18. Cavaliers: $3.95 billion
  19. Bucks: $3.91 billion
  20. Spurs: $3.79 billion
  21. Pacers: $3.74 billion
  22. Jazz: $3.67 billion
  23. Blazers: $3.6 billion
  24. Thunder: $3.55 billion
  25. Magic: $3.46 billion
  26. Pistons: $3.45 billion
  27. Hornets: $3.39 billion
  28. Timberwolves: $3.29 billion
  29. Pelicans: $3.09 billion
  30. Grizzlies: $3.06 billion

• Pistons Re-Sign Paul Reed, Waive Javante McCoy

  The Detroit Pistons have re-signed Paul Reed after waiving him on Saturday and have waived Javante McCoy.

  By utilizing these cap gymnastics, the Pistons were able to increase their available cap space from $10.5 million to approximately $14 million, according to Keith Smith.

  In 12 games this season, Reed is averaging 4.8 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10.4 minutes.