Pistons beat Suns to waiver claim on McRae

The Detroit Pistons have claimed swingman Jordan McRae off waivers, the team announced Wednesday.

McRae agreed to a buyout with the Denver Nuggets earlier this week and was reportedly expected to land with the Phoenix Suns during the waiver process. However, the Pistons have a worse record, which gives them priority over the Suns.

The Pistons' interest in McRae developed following an ankle injury to guard Derrick Rose. On Tuesday, the club announced Rose would miss at least two weeks with a right ankle sprain. That diagnosis reportedly convinced the team to make a claim on McRae.

Detroit will also receive the 28-year-old's early Bird rights, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. That will allow the Pistons to exceed the salary cap this summer in order to re-sign him, if necessary.

McRae was having a career year earlier this season with the Washington Wizards, where he averaged 12.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 29 games. However, after being sent to the Nuggets at the trade deadline for Shabazz Napier, McRae struggled to solidify a similar role in Denver, scoring just nine points over four appearances.

The NBA's waiver order is determined by reversing the current overall standings. Since the Pistons are 20-42, only five teams would have had higher priority: the New York Knicks (19-42), Atlanta Hawks (19-44), Minnesota Timberwolves (18-42), Cleveland Cavaliers (17-44), and Golden State Warriors (14-48).