The Detroit Pistons have signed free agent guard Javante McCoy to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. Detroit needed to fill a roster spot after waiving veteran big man Paul Reed on Saturday.
Detroit Pistons waived Paul Reed to open $14 million in cap room, to drop below the minimum salary floor
To comply with the CBA, the Pistons had to cut Reed in order to drop $1,417,936 below the minimum salary floor by the end of Sunday. McCoy’s salary is likely just above the rookie minimum to allow Detroit to reach the floor.
Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Pistons now have about $14 million in cap room after falling below the salary floor, which is $126.5 million this season. McCoy’s cap hit is expected to be exactly $1,417,936.
The @DetroitPistons announced today the team has signed guard Javante McCoy. pic.twitter.com/8wvIHcZjQk
— Pistons PR (@Pistons_PR) December 16, 2024
According to Spotrac, Reed’s 2024-25 salary is $7.7 million, and his salary would’ve been guaranteed on Jan. 10. Reed was at Detroit’s practice at their New Center facility earlier Saturday before the news broke.
Reed, 25, appeared in 12 games this season off the bench, averaging 4.8 points, 1.9 boards, and 10.4 minutes per contest. The DePaul product was the team’s third center behind Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart.
The Pistons claimed the 6-foot-9 Reed off waivers in July after he was dropped by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Javante McCoy has appeared in 12 games this season for the Motor City Cruise, Detroit’s G League affiliate
McCoy, 26, was on the Pistons’ training camp roster on an Exhibit 10 contract but was waived in October. He played at Boston University for five seasons (2017-22) but went undrafted after his final college season.
The Milwaukee native has appeared in 96 career NBA G League games for the South Bay Lakers, Austin Spurs, and Motor City Cruise. He has averaged 11.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 22.8 minutes per contest.
Additionally, the 6-foot-5 McCoy has appeared in 12 games this season for the Motor City Cruise, the Pistons’ G League affiliate, averaging 14.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 26.1 minutes per game.
McCoy is also shooting career bests of 58.3% from the field and 51.4% from beyond the arc. His 3-point percentage leads the Cruise and ranks seventh in the G League among qualified players.
While the Pistons now have additional depth in their backcourt, this move did nothing to address the team’s predicament at center. Duren missed Thursday’s loss to the Boston Celtics with a wrist sprain.
Veteran forward Tobias Harris has also been ruled out for Monday’s matchup with the Miami Heat. Of course, Harris is dealing with a right thumb sprain. He will miss a game for just the second time this season.
The Pistons are currently 10-6 and rank 11th in the Eastern Conference standings.
