Detroit Pistons To Waive Center Aaron Gray

In order to get down to 15 players for the regular season, the Detroit Pistons are expected to cut center Aaron Gray.

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After recently acquiring center Joel Anthony is a trade for guard Will Bynum, the Detroit Pistons will release center Aaron Gray in order to get down to 15 players for the regular season.

After signing a two-year guaranteed deal in August, Gray missed the preseason due to a heart issue. That’s likely one reason Stan Van Gundy acquired Anthony. The Pistons have a glut of big men and one had to be waived. With Anthony not getting the ax and the Pistons yet to trade Greg Monroe or Josh Smith, that made Gray the off man out.

According to PistonPowered.com’s Dan Feldman, the Pistons made the right decision.

"But even if Gray has made a full recovery [from his heart issue], I’d still strongly consider waiving him.One big potential complication: Gray has a player option for 2015-16. Player options specify whether the player gets his salary if he’s waived before the option season, and it’s unclear whether Gray would get paid for 2015-16. As someone who objected to a second season for Gray (let alone a player option) in the first place, I’d guess that his 2015-16 salary is not guaranteed if waived. But that’ s just a guess.If Gray’s 2015-16 salary is guaranteed, that changes the equation. It’d be a close call at that point. His salary that year is still a sunk cost, but there’s always a chance that he could be used in a trade rather than becoming dead weight. The Pistons might need that bit of salary cap room next summer.But if Gray’s 2015-16 salary is not guaranteed, I’d waive him."

The Piston’s roster now stands at 15 and even though there can still be plenty of changes (Smith and/or Monroe) it looks like, for now, this is the one Detroit fans should be prepared to roll into the regular season with.