Free agency or trade? 7 targets for the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons: Trade or free agency for these 7 targets?
John Collins-Trade
Collins won’t be a free agent until 2025-26 at the earliest and he has a player option for that season that he very well could exercise, especially if he hasn’t improved between now and then.
The price for Collins appears to be about as low as it is going to get and the Detroit Pistons might be able to snag him now. The Pistons were recently listed by The Athletic as one of the teams who could pursue Collins at the deadline, but the question is what they would have to give up and whether he is really a fit.
Collins is definitely more of a power forward, so Detroit would likely have to give up one of theirs to get him without creating a huge logjam at the position. He could be an upgrade of defense over Bey or Bogdanovic, but has been worse offensively. Some think he could thrive with Cade Cunningham but that would definitely be a roll of the dice.
Related Story. Pistons both buyer and seller on The Athletic's deadline Big Board. light
Kyle Kuzma-Free agency
Kuzma might be the best free agent of the 2023 class for the Detroit Pistons, but just like with Collins, he wouldn’t really bolster their position of need. The Wizards have talked about moving him at the deadline, but recently have pivoted towards potentially trading Rui Hachimura, likely with the goal of keeping Kuzma around.
If they don’t re-sign him, Kuzma will probably decline his player option for next season and become a free agent. If the Pistons want to bring home the Flint native, there is no reason to give up assets for him now when they can just wait until the offseason and potentially sign him as a free agent.
This is especially true considering Kuzma has said he wants to play with a winner, so there is no guarantee he would re-sign in Detroit. He won’t be cheap in free agency, but if the Pistons want him, they’ll have more money than most other teams in the NBA.
Jonathan Kuminga-Trade
The Warriors are clinging onto the final play-in spot and may need to make a move to bolster their roster if they are interested in defending their title. I’ve long said that if the Warriors “cash out” the Pistons should be involved, as Kuminga is the type of high-ceiling defender they could use.
He’s not a free agent until after the 2024-25 season, so the best chance to get him at a discount would be now, though it’s unclear what the Warriors would be looking for if they do decide to move one of their young players for win now talent.