Vince Ellis

Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Pistons have concluded the majority of their off-season business, but one important item remains on their to-do list.

The Pistons would like to re-sign shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope before the Oct. 31 deadline for players entering their fourth seasons to sign contract extensions.

The two sides had preliminary talks earlier in the off-season, but agreed to wait until later in the summer to see if a deal can be reached.

“We’ve got plenty of time,” Pistons president and head coach Stan Van Gundy said Friday. “Everybody needs to sort of be able to take a breath at the end of this so there’s no real rush on that.

“Everybody knows he’s a guy we consider part of our core and would love to have long term.”

But things could get tricky.

There was speculation among observers at the Orlando Pro Summer League that Caldwell-Pope could seek a multi-year deal worth around $20 million per season – understandable if you see the money being thrown around this off-season.

The Pistons would probably prefer a deal around $15 million per season, but are aware of economic realities.

Further complicating matters is news that the luxury tax for the 2017-18 season is projected at $122 million – down from an April projection $127 million.

The Pistons are going to be over the cap $104 million cap for 2017-18 but a significant Caldwell-Pope raise would have the Pistons threatening the luxury tax line and its expensive penalties.

If no deal is reached by late October, Caldwell-Pope becomes a restricted free agent next off-season.

Contact Vince Ellis: vellis@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @vincent_ellis56.

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