text: After moving on from Andre Drummond, the Detroit Pistons are set up for cap flexibility for the first time under the Ed Stefanski-led front office.
  They are projected to have the third most cap space in the NBA this summer.
  According to the projections of Jeff Siegel, of the revered NBA salary cap website earlybirdrights.com, only five of the league's 30 teams will have significant cap space this summer:
  Atlanta Hawks: $49.2 million.
  New York Knicks: $37.6 million.
  Detroit Pistons: $34.9 million.
  Miami Heat: $26.5 million.
  Charlotte Hornets: $22.8 million.
  The number includes the Pistons' first-round draft pick cap hold, projected to be sixth overall by fivethirtyeight.com.
  ESPN's Bobby Marks also projects the Pistons with $35 million in space.
  Drummond trade shows Pistons are finally responding to NBA 'evolution'
  The 2020 free agent class is weak, but cap space provides greater flexibility, as the Pistons finally take the rebuilding steps necessary under owner Tom Gores.
  The Pistons could use the space for several transactions:
  • Sign free agents.
  • Trade for a good player without having to match salaries.
  • Take on a bad contract bundled with an asset (a pick or a young player) via trade.
  • Do nothing to impact their 2021 cap sheet.
  The Pistons' main target in free agency could be Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet, an unrestricted free agent who fits the timeline of the rebuild and played his first two NBA seasons under Pistons coach Dwane Casey.
  VanVleet, who turns 26 in late February, is having a career season, collecting 17.7 points, seven assists and two steals, shooting 40% from 3 on seven attempts per game; his jump is a big reason why the Raptors (38-14) are second in the Eastern Conference despite losing Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard in free agency.
  But it's tough to see him leaving Toronto, unless the Pistons throw a big number at him.
  A lesser name to watch is veteran point guard D.J. Augustin, who could act as a placeholder while the team looks for its point guard of the future. (Augustin was a Piston in 2014-15; he was dealt away as part of the deal that brought Reggie Jackson to Detroit.)
  The Pistons won't have much competition this summer if they choose to enter the free-agency market, and are convinced the franchise can attract major free agents, according to reporting from the Free Press' Vince Ellis last summer.
  [ Cavaliers 'coveted' Andre Drummond, see him as 'potential long-term play' ]
  Many teams are protecting 2021 cap space, when an abundance of All-Stars and solid starters could hit the market.
  Potential unrestricted free agents in 2021 include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Oladipo and Rudy Gobert, while several others have player options, including Leonard, LeBron James, Paul George, Jrue Holiday and Spencer Dinwiddie.
  The Pistons' last big foray into free agency was in 2016 under president of basketball operations/coach Stan Van Gundy and general manager Jeff Bower, when the league's salary cap increased by $24 million. That summer, the Pistons brought in Jon Leuer, Boban Marjanovic and Ish Smith, and re-signed Drummond.