The Pistons have their replacement for Mason Plumlee -- and he'll come at a higher cost.
A few days after trading Plumlee and his $8 million salary, the Pistons have agreed to a three-year, $37 million deal with big man Kelly Olynyk, according to ESPN.
Like the money Troy Weaver and the Pistons gave Plumlee last offseason, 12-plus million a year for Olynyk, a player who's spent most of his career coming off the bench, raises eyebrows.
But Plumlee, 30 years old at the time, went on to have a career year with the Pistons, and Olynyk, who turned 30 in April, is coming off a career year with the Heat and the Rockets.
Playing primarily as a starter for the first time in his eight-year career, the 6'11 Olynyk averaged personal bests in points (13.5), rebounds (7.0) and assists (2.9). He was especially strong after a midseason trade to Houston, averaging 19.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 39 percent from three in 27 games with the Rockets.
Plumlee averaged 10.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 56 games last season for the Pistons.
Olynyk, the 13th overall pick in 2013 who broke into the NBA with the Celtics, will also ease some of the burden on Pistons All-Rookie center Isaiah Stewart. The price looks high. But if he can sustain his production from last season, especially during his tenure with Houston, Olynyk could be a valuable addition for Detroit.