The Detroit Pistons are exchanging guard Delon Wright with the Sacramento Kings for Cory Joseph and two choices in the second round, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. One of the players in the second round originally belonged to the Lakers and will be broadcasting this year, while the other is one of Sacramento’s own choices and will broadcast in 2024. Wright has changed a lot in recent years. After starting his career with the Toronto Raptors, he was traded to Memphis as part of Marc Gasol’s trade. He then landed with the Dallas Mavericks on a signature and trade agreement and this offseason was negotiated for the Pistons in a salary compensation move.
Now, the Pistons are trading it again, mostly for financial purposes. Wright’s $ 8.5 million salary for the next season is fully guaranteed. Joseph owes $ 12.6 million next season, but only a guaranteed $ 2.4 million. In essence, the Pistons are getting two second-round choices to save $ 6 million by moving Wright. Considering all the dead money in your books as a result of buying Blake Griffin, this is a pretty big deal. Detroit must now be sufficiently below the salary cap this off-season to spend more than the mid-level exception at a free agency.
The Kings, for their part, will take a look at Wright, who is still a reasonably young and effective player. At 28, he averages 10.5 points per game, the highest of his career this season. His bad shot limits his offensive effectiveness, but he is a great athlete who defends both guard positions and can reach the basket. The Kings already have Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton on the backcourt, so they have a few shots to spare.
It is not a blockbuster, but it is a fairly normal term agreement between two non-playoff teams with different priorities. The pistons gain a little flexibility. The Kings add a player that they would like to keep as a long-term reserve. In this sense, it is a business where everyone wins.