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The Detroit Pistons will not remain dormant this offseason, and after they acquired Kemba Walker from the New York Knicks last week, they bought out the 32-year-old guard on Thursday. Walker was sent to Detroit in a three-team trade with the Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks, and Detroit received draft rights to Memphis big man Jalen Duren in the process. Kemba’s departure means Cade Cunningham will continue to dominate the point guard position in the upcoming season, and the buyout sets Detroit up for success in the 2023 offseason. Let’s dive into the Pistons’ updated roster and what the buyout means for Detroit.
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Kemba Walker trade, contract and salary cap impact after buyout
The Pistons traded for Walker from the Knicks last week, and on Thursday, it was reported that the two parties were finalizing a contract buyout. Kemba will become a free agent once clearing waivers, and Detroit is keeping $9.2 million of Walker’s contract on their books.
Without Walker on the roster, Cade Cunningham will dominate the point guard minutes, and backup Cory Joseph will likely play around 25 minutes per game next season. Cunningham is a long shot to win the 2022-23 MVP (+50000) at DraftKings Sportsbook, and a $10 wager returns $5,000 if Cunningham is the first MVP from Detroit since Chauncey Billups in 2003-04.
Since Walker will be on Detroit’s salary cap this season, it’s unlikely they’ll sign any big names this offseason. Although this is the case, the trade will allow Cunningham and rookie center Jalen Duren to thrive next year.
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2023 Detroit Pistons betting odds: Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren should benefit
We wrote yesterday about Jaden Ivey’s odds to win the 2022-23 Rookie of the Year, but newly acquired big man and the No. 13 pick, Jalen Duren has +3000 odds to take home the award at DraftKings. A $10 on the Memphis center returns $3,000 if Duren is the first Detroit rookie to win since Grant Hill in 1994-95.
Now that Walker is out of town, Cade Cunningham will likely improve on the 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game from his rookie season. Detroit drafted Jaden Ivey with the No. 5 pick and acquired Duren from the Knicks. Both players will give Cunningham additional offensive threats, and although the departure of Jerami Grant will challenge Detroit’s offense, the addition of Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel will help lessen the blow.
The buyout means Detroit will likely not make any large financial additions in the 2022 offseason, but they set themselves up so they can pounce in 2023. Expect the Pistons to go after someone like Golden State’s Andrew Wiggins, Portland’s Josh Hart or Cleveland’s Caris LeVert. The Pistons are setting the franchise for long-term success, and Kemba Walker’s buyout is another step to do just that.
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