Who is going to be the Detroit Pistons’ third piece?

The Detroit Pistons have been searching for their “Big 3” for what seems like decades.

Most experts believe a team needs three All-Star level players to compete for a title and the Pistons haven’t really had that since the Goin’ to Work era where  four of their five starters were All-Stars in the same season.

It appears the Pistons have found one of their pieces in Cade Cunningham, as he has shown signs of superstardom and has the kind of versatile game that will be easy to build around. Detroit doesn’t have to worry about fit with Cade, so they can just grab the most talented players available in the draft and in trades.

With another top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft likely on the way, the Pistons hope to grab another foundational piece from another deep crop of players.

If Detroit can get a guy like Paolo Banchero, Jabari Smith or Chet Holmgren, they should have two foundational pieces of their “Big 3.” The question is whether that third guy is already on the team or whether Detroit is still going to be searching.

They have some potential in-house options, or could use their ample cap space next offseason to make a move for a third star.

Will the Detroit Pistons trade Jerami Grant?

The Jerami Grant trade rumors have already started, but if the Pistons do not end up trading their leading scorer, then he is the ideal third piece with Cade Cunningham and their 2022 draft pick.

There are some “fit” issues with Grant, as he takes some touches from Cade and can be too ball dominant at times, but I also think Grant is a team player who will change his game to fit whatever the Pistons need.

He is also on a reasonable deal that runs through next season, and if the Pistons wanted to re-sign him to a long term deal, he’d probably be open to it, as he has embraced Detroit and chose to come to the Motor City over other options.

If the Pistons can’t find the right deal for Grant, I’d be happy if they re-signed him at around the same rate.

Can Saddiq Bey be the Pistons’ third piece?

The way Saddiq Bey is playing right now, the better question might be if he is a piece at all, as he has regressed in his second season so far.

However, I love Bey’s work ethic and he has said all of the right things during this slump. I do believe he’ll break out of it and that we’ll see more of the guy from last year, who shot nearly 40 percent from 3-point range.

If Bey can fulfill his potential, there is a chance he’ll be that third guy, but it’s hard to project that happening right now.

He really looks more like a complementary piece and should probably be this team’s 4th scoring option if they want to have a chance to compete.

Bey has a great chance to end up as a very valuable role player, but it’s hard to see him as part of a “Big 3” on a good team.

The third piece is probably not on the Detroit Pistons yet

If the Pistons do end up trading Jerami Grant, then their third piece is probably not on the team yet. It’s possible they will get a young impact player in return for Grant, but more likely they’ll get a matching salary, a player with upside and a pick or two, which may not yield that third piece.

Luckily, the Detroit Pistons will be one of four teams with cap space next offseason and there are a few free agents who would be nice fits, including center Deandre Ayton of the Suns, who did not sign an extension and will be a free agent at the end of the season or Miles Bridges, who also wasn’t extended.

The Pistons are still far from being a title contender, but the pieces are starting to fall into place and they could have their “Big 3” going into next season.