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Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Summary
Back in 2019, I really liked the Kings signing Joseph to a 3-year, $37 million contract. However, Joseph has not lived up to that contract, and will likely be waived because his salary is only partially-guaranteed next season. I thought Joseph could be one of the best backup point guards in the league, but he has not lived up to that hope at all.
Joseph is an adequate defender, but is not super disruptive - his block and steal rates are average for his position. He's also not a lockdown defender that can stay in front of the best ball-handlers. On offense, Joseph is not a great outside shooter, which allows defenses to go under pick-and-rolls. Joseph has some craft, as he knows how to put his defender in jail in the pick-and-roll, and has nice touch on floaters and overall makes the right reads.
Joseph is best served as a third point guard or fourth/fifth guard in the backcourt rotation, and those guys generally are just worth the minimum.
Cap Considerations
Joseph's $12.6 million salary for 2021-2022 is partially-guaranteed, and if he is waived he will become an unrestricted free agent and the Pistons will have no form of Bird rights on him. The Pistons may waive Joseph in order to maximize their cap space. However, the 2021 free agency class is looking less spectacular than it once did, and the Pistons may end up just operating over the salary cap. So the Pistons may end up just keeping Joseph, but I think that scenario is unlikely. Also, keep in mind that last year the Knicks waived Elfrid Payton and were able to bring him back at a lower number, so the Pistons could try to do the same if they don't think he's worth the $12.6 million.
If Joseph becomes a free agent, other teams will have multiple ways to sign Joseph as even teams without cap space could possibly use any of the Non-Taxpayer MLE, Taxpayer MLE, or possibly even the Room MLE or Bi-Annual Exception to sign him. There's also a chance that Joseph could be signed for the minimum.
Potential Teams: 76ers, Warriors, Pelicans, Pistons, Suns
Predicted Contract: 1-year, $2.6 million ($1.7 million cap hit) with the 76ers.
Actual Contract: 2-year, $10.1 million (player option) with the Pistons.
Joseph was waived by the Pistons, but re-signed with Detroit, getting the full Room MLE, including a player option
Last updated: 8/18/2021
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