Can the Detroit Pistons sign a max free agent in 2027-28?

Max starting salaries run $44.1M to $61.8M depending on experience (projected), and the Pistons' cap position is -$7.1M. The one path: renouncing all their free-agent holds would open $67.6M, enough for the $44.1M tier, at the cost of their Bird rights.

Without room, a max-level player can still arrive by trade (matching salary) or by the Pistons re-signing their own free agent with Bird rights, which works over the cap.

This is a forward look at 2027-28: it counts the contracts, options, and cap holds already on the Pistons books for that season. Signings, trades, and option decisions between now and then will move these numbers.