The Detroit Pistons just traded for Blake Griffin, and they're not done yet.
There is talk around the NBA that the Pistons, who just acquired a lot of salary on Griffin's contract, went to improve their financial outlook by making more moves, and Stanley Johnson is one of the players that could fall victim to that strategy, per Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.
Word in NBA circles is the Pistons have ramped up efforts to move out Stanley Johnson, with an eye for Utah’s Rodney Hood. It remains unclear if the Jazz engages in a deal built around Johnson, but the Pistons are being aggressive.
As things sit post-trade, the Pistons have $111.9 million guaranteed to just nine players, so adding a potential free agent like Hood looks to be exactly what Gores was suggesting. The Pistons are going all in on this roster.
It may look like the Pistons are adding players would go against finding a way to get financial flexibility, but if they get a guy who is on an expiring contract, their salary won't be on the books for next season if that player becomes a free agent this summer.
Money machinations are always difficult in the NBA. On one hand, a team can't just spend all its money on a few players. That would kill their chances of fielding an effective roster.
But then again, if you want good players, you have to pay them well. The Pistons are caught in a bit of a tough spot.
But with Griffin on the team now, they can find a way to build a roster with the allure of playing with him.
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