The holidays are here and the Detroit Pistons have the worst record in the NBA, not the gift most fans were hoping for.
They’ve lost four in a row and there is some discouragement in the normally optimistic fanbase, so now seems like the perfect time to talk about the future.
The Pistons have already been mentioned in trade rumors, with their best assets being veterans Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel.
The Pistons have expressed reluctance to trade their veterans, and are also hampered by the fact that they can’t trade a first-round pick until they convey the one they owe to the Knicks, making trading for an impact player difficult.
But that doesn’t mean Troy Weaver (who recently signed an extension) won’t find a deal before the trade deadline, as the crop of 2023 free agents isn’t great, leaving trades as another possible route to acquire more talent or players who are better fits.
ESPN recently took at look at each team’s possible trade targets and there were a few guys that stood out as possibilities for the Detroit Pistons with the focus being forwards who can defend or shoot.
Some are more realistic than others, but just for the sheer sake of argument and distraction, would you pass or pursue these five guys?
Detroit Pistons: Possible trade targets
John Collins: Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are at .500 and it’s long been rumored that they are shopping John Collins for players that might be better fits on the perimeter. Bojan Bogdanovic was named as a possibility and I came up with some trade ideas, but it really seems like a lateral move for the Pistons at best.
Collins has regressed this season, so even though he’d be the type of young, two-way wing the Pistons are looking for, he’d be a downgrade at this point and I’d rather they just keep Bogs, who is on a better contract.
Verdict: Pass
Detroit Pistons: Possible trade targets
Kelly Oubre Jr. and PJ Washington: Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets are tanking away, challenging our Detroit Pistons for the worst record in the league, so it makes sense that they would trade two players who are on expiring contracts.
I put these two together because both are having career years on a lousy team. Their raw stats look good until you look at the shooting, as Oubre Jr. shoots 42 percent overall and just 31 percent from 3-point range and he chucks a ton of them. Washington’s numbers are pretty much the same, so both guys are putting up promising looking scoring totals, but taking a ton of shots to get them.
Neither play defense well enough to make up for it and the Detroit Pistons already have enough players who can’t shoot.
Verdict: Hard pass
Dillon Brooks: Memphis Grizzlies
Brooks is on an expiring contract and the Grizzlies may consider trying to package him in a trade, though I find that hard to believe, as Brooks has established himself as one of the core players of a very good team.
His shooting splits aren’t outstanding either, but Brooks is putting up 18 points per game as the 3rd-leading scorer on a title contender and he is a good defender who is even getting some Defensive Player of the Year buzz this season.
He is an unrestricted free agent after this season, so anyone that trades for him won’t have any guarantee beyond this year. He’s a guy I would love to have on the Pistons, though I am not sure giving up Bogdanovic for a guy who isn’t under cost control would be the smartest move, or if the Grizzlies would even be interested.
The Pistons would be better off just waiting until free agency than giving up assets for Brooks in a trade.
Verdict: Pass (but maybe pursue later)
Detroit Pistons: Possible trade targets
Josh Hart: Portland Trail Blazers
This is another player I’d be surprised to see traded, as he is loved in Portland and they have nice team chemistry. But they also have a short window to win with Damian Lillard, so could consider moving Hart, who only has a player option for next season left on his deal.
I am an unabashed Josh Hart stan, so I would love to see him in Detroit. The most disappointing thing about this season for me has been the atrocious defense and lack of hustle and grit the team has shown at times. Hart is a guy who can change that culture, as he never takes a play off and is the type of glue guy every good team needs (precisely why I can’t see Portland trading him). He’s also improved as a 3-point shooter, so would boost a few of Detroit’s needs. Even if he opts out of his final year and hits free agency, Detroit would have the inside track at re-signing him
But if Hart did become available, he would be an interesting target for the Pistons. I don’t know if the teams are a great match, but I’d love to have Josh Hart, so Troy Weaver, work your magic!
Verdict: Pursue
Kyle Kuzma: Washington Wizards
Another guy who is going to hit free agency at the end of the year, Kuzma is a name that has been brought up in trade discussions for the Wizards, who have been plummeting in the standings.
Kuzma is having a career year, so he’ll likely opt-out of his player option for next season in hopes of getting a lucrative long-term deal. I like Kuzma’s fit with the Pistons, as he would give them some more athleticism and size at forward, as well as an upgrade of rebounding and defense.
He’s also from Flint, so who knows, maybe he’d like to come play in his home state. But Kuzma also reportedly said that he wanted to be traded to a contender, which Detroit certainly is not, so it would be a gamble to give up anything of value for him when he can just walk to greener pastures at the end of the season.
I like his fit as a player, but there is no reason to trade for him when he’s likely to be a free agent anyway. We can then find out if he’d be willing to play for the Detroit Pistons.
Verdict: Pass (for now)