A league source told the Free Press that the deal, which will take McCoy through the end of this season, lifts the Pistons above the salary floor. On Saturday, they waived veteran backup center Paul Reed and fell below the salary floor, which is $126.5 million this season.

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According to the collective bargaining agreement, half of the money generated by the league’s luxury tax is distributed to non-taxpaying teams in equal amounts. Teams have to reach the salary floor, though, to qualify for the payment — meaning the Pistons had to add a player by the end of Sunday.

According to Sports Business Classroom general manager and cap expert Eric Pincus, the luxury tax payment this year is roughly $19 million.