The Pistons have exercised their 2023/24 team option on Isaiah Livers‘ contract, reports James L. Edwards III of The Athletic (Twitter link). The move will lock in Livers’ $1,836,096 salary for next season and put him on track to reach restricted free agency in 2024 if he doesn’t sign an extension before then.
The decision comes as no surprise, given that the option is worth the veteran’s minimum and Livers is a player the Pistons want to continue developing.
After appearing in just 19 games as a rookie in 2021/22 for health reasons, Livers emerged as a regular rotation piece last season, averaging 6.7 PPG and 2.8 RPG in 52 contests (23.1 MPG). The 6’7″ forward has knocked down 37.8% of 3.8 three-point attempts per game since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2021.
Livers is one of three Pistons players whose contracts include team options for the 2023/24 season. Alec Burks ($10.49MM) is expected to have his option picked up too, while the decision on Eugene Omoruyi‘s ($1.93MM) remains up in the air.
The Pistons entered the offseason with eight players on guaranteed contracts for ’23/24. Livers figures to join Burks and first-rounder draftees Ausar Thompson and Marcus Sasser to increase that count to 12 as the team prepares for free agency this weekend.
Hopefully Livers’ shoulder issue is in the past.
Gotta pick up Omoruyi at that price. His energy and hustle is reminiscent of the Worm.