At the NBA trade deadline, as the Lakers desperately scrambled to try to recover from their roster building mistakes of the summer (shooting? who needs shooting?), the Detroit Pistons traded swingman Reggie Bullock to Los Angeles for rookie Svi Mykhailiuk and a 2021 second-round pick.
Now the Pistons might try to bring Bullock back — and he’s open to the idea, so long as he is getting paid.
The Pistons are considering the idea, reports James Edwards III at The Athletic. Bullock would be open to it.Before the trade, a source close to Bullock said the 28-year-old was willing to return to the Pistons once he hit unrestricted free agency if “the money was right.” Bullock became, at minimum, a more-than-serviceable role player in three-and-a-half seasons with Detroit, and he appreciated the opportunity given to him by the organization. The source also said Bullock enjoyed his role as second fiddle to Blake Griffin in the Pistons’ oft-used DHO actions. Furthermore, Bullock is fond of the Michigan lifestyle, per the source.
Following the trade, the source said that Bullock understood the business aspect of the decision and would still be willing to return to the Pistons as a free agent if, again, the finances were in order. Bullock has been in the league since 2013 and hasn’t made more than $2.5 million in a season.
About the money... The Pistons are capped out — they are already about $3 million over the cap for next season — because they will pay Blake Griffin $34.5 million, Andre Drummond $27.1 million, and Reggie Jackson $18.1 million. What the Pistons will have is the non-taxpayer mid-level exception of $9.3 million (which can be divided up) and the bi-annual exception at $3.6 million. The Bi-annual is likely not enough to land Bullock at this point, but can they get him for around $8 million of the taxpayer exception? What will Bullock’s price be on the open market as a solid 3&D wing?
Bullock will have a few options this summer (once the dust settles on the top players), but a return to Detroit is something to keep an eye on.