Report: Pistons rescind qualifying offer to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Other moves have put them up against the salary cap, so the Detroit Piston have made a tough decision on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
The Detroit Pistons made a notable move Friday morning, sending forward Marcus Morris to the Boston Celtics for guard Avery Bradley. With the official signing of guard Langston Galloway to a beyond mid-level exception three-year, $21 million deal, the Pistons have given themselves virtually no flexibility under the salary cap.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been a prominent player for the Pistons over the last three seasons, starting 233 of the 234 games he has played. He is a restricted free agent right now, but there has been no real news regarding an offer sheet form another team as a bigger domino on that front (Otto Porter) is set to fall.
The Pistons also used a first-round pick on Luke Kennard, so along with Bradley they have some new options at shooting guard. That seems to go against any previous priority to match any offer sheet for Caldwell-Pope, if or when he received one, and things have not been moving forward on contract talks between player and team.
Pistons talks w/Kentavious Caldwell-Pope haven't progressed, sources say. Possibility Pistons make him unrestricted or not match offer sheet
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 7, 2017
Now, the Pistons have officially renounced their rights to Caldwell-Pope.
Detroit is renouncing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2017
The Pistons could have actively been looking to shed money to make room to keep Caldwell-Pope, up to and including any trades involving Andre Drummond or Reggie Jackson. But without that they couldn’t match any big offer sheet he got, and there are plenty of teams with the salary cap space to have done just that. If the Brooklyn Nets don’t get Porter after agreeing to an offer sheet with him, a quick shift to Caldwell-Pope could come. Late last month, ESPN’s Marc Stein reported the Pistons expected the Nets to make a significant offer.
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Caldwell-Pope seemed sure to sure to find a diminished role in Detroit next season. But there’s still money out there to be had, with a big role too, and Caldwell-Pope is in position to find both one way or another.