The NBA trade deadline is officially behind us.
The Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons largely stood pat, except to move on from Jaden Ivey. Keeping their core intact, the Pistons are hoping to continue their momentum and make a deep postseason run. Yet, they have yet to solve a big question they had heading into the trade deadline. Daniss Jenkins' NBA eligibility has expired, and the Pistons must open a roster spot so that they can sign the talented, young guard.
Fortunately, the Pistons have a couple of options there.
Since they can't make any more trades, they have to cut a player on a guaranteed contract. Rookie Chaz Lanier, second-year player Bobi Klintman, and new veteran acquisition Dario Saric are the three likeliest candidates.
Considering that Saric was mostly a throw-in in the Jaden Ivey-Kevin Huerter trade and Detroit has invested in Lanier and Klintman in recent drafts, Saric seems like the most obvious cut candidate.
Dario Saric Will Likely Leave Detroit Before Ever Suiting Up
Saric has yet to play since Dec. 20, since he fell out of the rotation with his previous team, the Sacramento Kings. Not seeing the floor on the worst team in the league is certainly a red flag.
When the Chicago Bulls acquired him as part of the three-team trade between the Kings and the Cleveland Cavaliers, they never considered holding onto him, despite their obvious need for more frontcourt depth. Chicago rerouted Saric to Detroit, and now, his time with the Pistons is likely coming to an end.
The versatile veteran big man was not with the team when the Pistons took on the Washington Wizards on Thursday, and his designation was not injury-related. This suggests that Detroit doesn't see him as part of their plans going forward.
Saric makes $5.4 million this season. Obviously, that is not an insufficient amount to move on from. At least, the 31-year-old is becoming a free agent over the summer, so he could have some interest in getting bought out so that he can sign with a team for the rest of the season before free agency.
Detroit must also be conducting negotiations with Jenkins at the same time. There have been reports that the Pistons and Jenkins couldn't agree to a new contract after he was offered a two-year minimum deal. The 24-year-old guard has certainly done enough to justify a more lucrative contract, and the sides will likely agree to a deal a little over the minimum.
The sooner this is resolved and Saric is off the team, the quicker the Pistons get their backup point guard back in the rotation.