Andy Alexis
The 2022 NBA free agency begins on Thursday at 6:00 pm EST, and teams like the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks have already made big moves getting prepared. The Knicks traded center Nerlens Noel and guard Alec Burks to the Pistons, clearing $19 million in additional salary-cap space. The Knicks included two future second-round picks and $6 million to incentivize the trade, while the Pistons could clear as much as $55 million in space after trading Jerami Grant to the Portland Trail Blazers the day before the NBA draft.
According to numerous sources, the Knicks now have $30 million in cap space and is expected to make a massive four-year offer to free-agent guard Jalen Brunson. The contract offer can be in the neighbourhood of $110 million for Brunson. The offloading of players and assets to create the space reflects the Knicks’ confidence that they can reach an agreement with Brunson.
The Detroit Pistons are rumored to be targeting free agents Deandre Ayton and Miles Bridges with their huge salary cap budget. Detroit acquired guard Kemba Walker on draft night, but he is expected to be bought out. Alec Burks is currently injured but can be a serious three-point threat when healthy, and Nerlens Noel is a very good defensive center and can catch lobs above the rim.
Detroit is eager to utilize center Nerlens Noel and guards Alec Burks next season. GM Troy Weaver had Noel on his team in Oklahoma City, and Burks is an ideal veteran to mentor the Pistons talented young group of guards.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022
The Pistons have a core of young talent, starting with last year’s first-round pick, Cade Cunningham and welcomed newcomers like guard Jaden Ivey and center, Jalen Duren. Landing a marquee free agent could make Detroit a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference.
I have scepticism about making Jalen Brunson the focal point of your team, and paying him that much may handicap you from signing a much-needed player. The NBA world and I will be paying very close attention to what exactly the New York Knicks plans to do this free agency.
