AUGUST 6: The trade is now official, according to press releases from both the Hornets and Pistons. Charlotte received Plumlee and the rights to No. 37 pick JT Thor in exchange for the rights to No. 57 pick Balsa Koprivica.
JULY 29: The Pistons and Hornets are finalizing a trade that would see Mason Plumlee sent to Charlotte along with the No. 37 pick in tonight’s draft in exchange for the No. 57 pick, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter).
The Hornets had been expected to be one of the NBA’s most aggressive teams in pursuit of a center this offseason and will get an early start on addressing that position by acquiring Plumlee, who averaged 10.4 PPG, 9.3 RPG, and 3.6 APG in 56 games (26.8 MPG) during his first and only season as a Piston.
Plumlee had been set to earn $8.1MM in 2021/22 and will receive a 10% trade bonus as a result of the deal, bumping up that cap hit by $830K, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Even at close to $9MM, Plumlee’s deal isn’t particularly onerous, especially since it’s only partially guaranteed in 2022/23. So it’s somewhat surprising that the Pistons were willing to drop down 20 spots in the draft to move off of it, especially since GM Troy Weaver just signed Plumlee to that deal last offseason.
Still, Detroit will gain cap flexibility as a result of the trade and could open up about $20MM in space rather than operating over the cap this summer, tweets Nate Duncan. The move will also create additional playing time for promising young big man Isaiah Stewart.
The deal will have to be completed once the new league year begins, when the Hornets can take Plumlee into their cap space. They’ll still have about $13MM in projected cap room, according to Marks, so they could pursue another center in free agency.
Already bowing to Cades demands…speechless
?
More like Stewart looks to have big time potential
You really don’t know what you’re talking about
Move up 20 slots and get your C nice move by Hornets
Don’t think you could do much better with 8 mil in FA
Upgrade over what they rolled out last year with Zeller Biyombo
Since when was Plumlee negative value on that contract?
Wouldn’t have minded knicks making this deal with 58
It’s got to be a salary dumping move. Pistons must have something rather significant planned.
Save money to get a shooter they gonna badly need on this team
This could lead to a Josh Hart offer, but it seems a bit early to address winning. They’re so young, and in last place.
Maybe Weaver does not want the team relying on Plumlee’s leadership, calling out schemes on defense, since he is not in future plans.
They will likely lose Joseph too.
I like your thinking. And operating under the cap could mean the ability to bring in a higher tier vet to set a tone … and shoot, who knows, maybe go ahead and win some games?
Even to save money, surely they could have gotten a better offer than this for a player that isn’t a sinkhole of a roster spot.
I’m surprised to see Plumlee traded at a negative price. It was into open cap space, but still, he had a good year and has a reasonable contract. Weaver does like to make deals though.
Weaver getting ready for his second act. He got something big up his sleeve. Plumlee was fine as a back up center. He is looking to bring in a big free agent or a big trade.
blake griffin on a max contract
Nice move for Hornets. Like it. Very nice
Get your popcorn everyone. The Weaver show is starting!
I honestly don’t believe that weaver has anything up his sleeve. I feel like he just doesn’t want to waste a draft pick on a center and Charlotte doesn’t either.
Awful for pistons… Great for hornets
I feel like Weaver is liking some of the 2nd round options and is making another roster spot while freeing up some cap space.
jordan then gonna draft franz in 1st and wieskamp in the 2nd. he’s still looking for the next larry bird. might as well tryn grab kispert too.
Getting traded in exchange for moving DOWN 20 spots has got to be bruising to the old ego.
The upside is that your new team is getting a better player with the pick.
The downside is that player might end up taking your spot on the roster too.
Money opens up for them to pursue upgrades. Sekou looking like he won’t be much of anything. Hayes would be a bench guard now.
It’s not just a salary dump. Plumlee doesn’t shoot the 3 & the spacing wasn’t going to be good alongside Cade. If the Pistons draft someone else, he’s probably still on the team.