Daniss Jenkins Detroit Pistons contract, Digi Mart USA News: Daniss Jenkins has had a great start to the season, and a breakout year from him will give the Detroit Pistons plenty to think about next summer. Jenkins is averaging 12.7 points, 4.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 43 percent from long range.
He has been even better as a starter. Those are the kinds of numbers the Pistons were hoping for, and if Jenkins keeps this up for the full season, he is going to get a raise at the end of it, either from Detroit or someone else.
Hitting on a player like Jenkins is crucial in the tax apron era, as it allows teams to invest more money at the top of the payroll while keeping a deep roster. Jenkins is making just $4 million this season, so it is safe to say he has outplayed his contract so far.
He will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, so the Pistons will retain team control, but that does not mean they will be able to keep him in Detroit. Half the league is projected to have cap space next offseason, a figure that will change, and there is a number the Pistons probably would not match if a team in need of a guard makes an offer sheet.
The Pistons also have Paul Reed to consider. Reed is another underpaid player due for a raise, and he has proven himself to be one of the most reliable backup bigs in the league.
He will be unrestricted, so the Pistons will have to pay up to keep him.
That could put pressure on money available for Jenkins, and unlike Reed, Jenkins has a player behind him still on a rookie deal. Detroit has rookie Ebuka Okorie eager to get off the bench, but he was just sent to the G-League, so his development this season will help inform the Pistons’ decision on whether to keep Jenkins.
It is not necessarily one or the other, as Jenkins is better as a two-guard who is not always the primary initiator. If the Pistons envision Jenkins as part of the long-term plans, they could give him a modest raise in the range of Kevin Huerter’s contract and keep him, though that will depend heavily on how the rest of the league views him.
Jenkins having a breakout season might cause a contract headache down the road, but it is a good problem to have, as he is currently providing production that exceeds his deal.
