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The Detroit Pistons are back in the NBA playoffs are a six-year drought, and if you go off salaries, J.B. Bickerstaff's team will have its work cut out against the heavily favored New York Knicks.
In a league of sky-high salaries, the Knicks stick out as one of the teams shelling out the most cash for the 2024-25 season, while the Pistons are quite the opposite (for NBA standards at least).
According to Spotrac, a website that tracks salaries across multiple different sports, the Knicks have $188.88 million in total cap allocations, which finds them just a teensy-weensy bit below the all-important "second apron," which punishes teams that spend over $188.93 million by limiting the types of moves they can make.
The Knicks rank fourth on Spotrac's NBA Team Apron Tracker, behind the Phoenix Suns ($214.87 million), Minnesota Timberwolves ($205.54 million) and defending champion Boston Celtics ($193.34 million).
The Pistons, meanwhile, had no concerns about hitting the first apron, much less the second apron. Detroit is last in the NBA with $142.81 million salary committed for the 2024-25 season, $35.32 million below the first-apron mark.
For those that closely follow the NBA's offseason, it's not a huge shock there's a big gap in salary commitments between the Pistons and Knicks. In the first year under new president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon, the Pistons spent the offseason adding reasonably-priced veterans in free agency like Tobias Harris (two years, $52 million) and Malik Beasley (one year, $6 million), and trading for Tim Hardaway Jr.'s $16.19 million expiring contract.
YES, THERE'S A CHANCE: Pistons-Knicks playoff prediction: Buckle up for long series
The Knicks, meanwhile, were big-game hunting, trading multiple first-round picks for Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets and swapping Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick (ironically the Pistons' pick) among other pieces, for Karl-Anthony Towns as part of a huge three-team deal.
Perhaps the only shock is how the regular-season meetings between these two teams went, with the Pistons pulling out wins in three of the four games.
Here are the 10 highest salaries for the 2024-25 season in the Knicks-Pistons first-round matchup.
Salary: $49.2 million.
The buzz: The Knicks knew what they were trading for in Towns' massive salary, but deemed it a risk worth taking. Their offense has soared with Towns providing tons of spacing as the game's best stretch-5 shooter, but can the defense be good enough in the playoffs?
Salary: $36.64 million.
The buzz: Anunoby was the Knicks big move before their big moves. They added Anunoby in December 2023, a defensive maestro, from the Toronto Raptors in a deal sending away RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, then gave Anunoby a huge extension this summer. He scored a career-best 18 points per game this season and provided his prototypical elite wing defense.
Salary: $25.37 million.
The buzz: It was a long-rumored deal, even before the Pistons brought in Langdon. And while Harris can leave a little to be desired for the team's highest-paid player, he has been a huge part of the Pistons' miracle turnaround, providing efficient play and veteran leadership.
Salary: $24.96 million.
The buzz: Thank you, Dallas! That has become a popular phrase the past few years. No one is more thankful for the Mavericks (OK, maybe the Lakers) than the Knicks that the Mavs let Brunson, their second-best player, get away. Also, Villanova!
Salary: $23.3 million.
The buzz: The Knicks traded five, yes, FIVE first-round picks to add Bridges, another Villanova alum, to their loaded roster. Bridges can play with anyone, and while he maybe hasn't met the production level typically associated with that big of a trade, you won't see any regret from the Knicks ... for now.
Salary: $18.14 million.
The buzz: Stop me if you've heard this before, but Hart went to, you guessed it, Villanova. He's one of the more unique players in the NBA, averaging 9.6 rebounds per game this season as a 6-foot-4 guard. He's helps his teams win games on the margins. Anyone would take him.
Salary: $16.19 million.
The buzz: Finally, another Piston! While Hardaway carries a moderate salary, he is on an expiring contract. The Pistons acquired three second-rounders with him for Quentin Grimes, and Hardaway's 3-point volume and leadership has been a boon.
Salary: $15 million.
The buzz: Beef Stew! Although the feisty big man doesn't even play 20 minutes per game (19.9) and averages just six points per game, he's a massive part of the Pistons' identity. Mess with the Pistons, you're messing with Stew. You might want to think twice about that decision.
BEEF STEW: Isaiah Stewart is what Pistons have been missing for 17 years
Salary: $14.32 million.
The buzz: The Knicks' oft-injured center can be one of the best rim-protectors in the league when he plays. Key words: when he plays. The big man played just 31 games last season and did not even hit the 20 game mark this season coming off ankle surgery (17 games). But he's a great piece to have behind Towns.
Salary: $13.94 million.
The buzz: Last but not least, maybe the best player on this list! Cunningham will be in the running for All-NBA in his breakout season, but is in the final year of his rookie deal. The Pistons signed Cunningham to a five-year, $224 million extension last offseason, meaning he will shoot up any salary list next season. In the meantime, this is easily the most valuable current contract among the 10.
READ MORE: Stephen A. Smith may not know Cade Cunningham's name, but coaches sure do: 'Huge problem'
Andrew Birkle is an assistant sports editor for the Free Press. You can contact him at [email protected] or on "X" @andrew_birkle.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Knicks vs Pistons playoffs: The 10 highest salary players in series
Continue reading...
In a league of sky-high salaries, the Knicks stick out as one of the teams shelling out the most cash for the 2024-25 season, while the Pistons are quite the opposite (for NBA standards at least).
According to Spotrac, a website that tracks salaries across multiple different sports, the Knicks have $188.88 million in total cap allocations, which finds them just a teensy-weensy bit below the all-important "second apron," which punishes teams that spend over $188.93 million by limiting the types of moves they can make.
The Knicks rank fourth on Spotrac's NBA Team Apron Tracker, behind the Phoenix Suns ($214.87 million), Minnesota Timberwolves ($205.54 million) and defending champion Boston Celtics ($193.34 million).
The Pistons, meanwhile, had no concerns about hitting the first apron, much less the second apron. Detroit is last in the NBA with $142.81 million salary committed for the 2024-25 season, $35.32 million below the first-apron mark.
For those that closely follow the NBA's offseason, it's not a huge shock there's a big gap in salary commitments between the Pistons and Knicks. In the first year under new president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon, the Pistons spent the offseason adding reasonably-priced veterans in free agency like Tobias Harris (two years, $52 million) and Malik Beasley (one year, $6 million), and trading for Tim Hardaway Jr.'s $16.19 million expiring contract.
YES, THERE'S A CHANCE: Pistons-Knicks playoff prediction: Buckle up for long series
The Knicks, meanwhile, were big-game hunting, trading multiple first-round picks for Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets and swapping Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick (ironically the Pistons' pick) among other pieces, for Karl-Anthony Towns as part of a huge three-team deal.
Perhaps the only shock is how the regular-season meetings between these two teams went, with the Pistons pulling out wins in three of the four games.
Here are the 10 highest salaries for the 2024-25 season in the Knicks-Pistons first-round matchup.
No. 1: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Knicks
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Salary: $49.2 million.
The buzz: The Knicks knew what they were trading for in Towns' massive salary, but deemed it a risk worth taking. Their offense has soared with Towns providing tons of spacing as the game's best stretch-5 shooter, but can the defense be good enough in the playoffs?
No. 2: OG Anunoby, F, Knicks
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Salary: $36.64 million.
The buzz: Anunoby was the Knicks big move before their big moves. They added Anunoby in December 2023, a defensive maestro, from the Toronto Raptors in a deal sending away RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, then gave Anunoby a huge extension this summer. He scored a career-best 18 points per game this season and provided his prototypical elite wing defense.
No. 3: Tobias Harris, F, Pistons
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Salary: $25.37 million.
The buzz: It was a long-rumored deal, even before the Pistons brought in Langdon. And while Harris can leave a little to be desired for the team's highest-paid player, he has been a huge part of the Pistons' miracle turnaround, providing efficient play and veteran leadership.
No. 4: Jalen Brunson, G, Knicks
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Salary: $24.96 million.
The buzz: Thank you, Dallas! That has become a popular phrase the past few years. No one is more thankful for the Mavericks (OK, maybe the Lakers) than the Knicks that the Mavs let Brunson, their second-best player, get away. Also, Villanova!
No. 5: Mikal Bridges, F, Knicks
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Salary: $23.3 million.
The buzz: The Knicks traded five, yes, FIVE first-round picks to add Bridges, another Villanova alum, to their loaded roster. Bridges can play with anyone, and while he maybe hasn't met the production level typically associated with that big of a trade, you won't see any regret from the Knicks ... for now.
No. 6: Josh Hart, G, Knicks
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Salary: $18.14 million.
The buzz: Stop me if you've heard this before, but Hart went to, you guessed it, Villanova. He's one of the more unique players in the NBA, averaging 9.6 rebounds per game this season as a 6-foot-4 guard. He's helps his teams win games on the margins. Anyone would take him.
No. 7: Tim Hardaway Jr., G, Pistons
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Salary: $16.19 million.
The buzz: Finally, another Piston! While Hardaway carries a moderate salary, he is on an expiring contract. The Pistons acquired three second-rounders with him for Quentin Grimes, and Hardaway's 3-point volume and leadership has been a boon.
No. 8: Isaiah Stewart, C, Pistons
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Salary: $15 million.
The buzz: Beef Stew! Although the feisty big man doesn't even play 20 minutes per game (19.9) and averages just six points per game, he's a massive part of the Pistons' identity. Mess with the Pistons, you're messing with Stew. You might want to think twice about that decision.
BEEF STEW: Isaiah Stewart is what Pistons have been missing for 17 years
No. 9: Mitchell Robinson, C, Knicks
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Salary: $14.32 million.
The buzz: The Knicks' oft-injured center can be one of the best rim-protectors in the league when he plays. Key words: when he plays. The big man played just 31 games last season and did not even hit the 20 game mark this season coming off ankle surgery (17 games). But he's a great piece to have behind Towns.
No. 10: Cade Cunningham, G, Pistons
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Salary: $13.94 million.
The buzz: Last but not least, maybe the best player on this list! Cunningham will be in the running for All-NBA in his breakout season, but is in the final year of his rookie deal. The Pistons signed Cunningham to a five-year, $224 million extension last offseason, meaning he will shoot up any salary list next season. In the meantime, this is easily the most valuable current contract among the 10.
READ MORE: Stephen A. Smith may not know Cade Cunningham's name, but coaches sure do: 'Huge problem'
Andrew Birkle is an assistant sports editor for the Free Press. You can contact him at [email protected] or on "X" @andrew_birkle.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Knicks vs Pistons playoffs: The 10 highest salary players in series
Continue reading...
