Detroit Pistons: The argument for doing nothing at the trade deadline

The NBA trade deadline is just two days away and so far it’s been nothing but silence from the Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons have made it clear that they won’t move their veterans unless there is a significant return, and so far it hasn’t come.

It’s still possible that will change, as it is a seller’s market and the Detroit Pistons have two of the most coveted players in Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks. Some team could get desperate and offer up a king’s ransom if they think one or both of those guys could push them over the top.

One potential suitor was likely removed from the equation when the Dallas Mavericks traded for Kyrie Irving, which set off the trade market and could either slow it down or prompt teams in the Western Conference to be more aggressive.

Fans have been clamoring for a big move, largely out of boredom, as the Detroit Pistons are running out the clock on their season, losing a lot of games and the 2023 NBA Draft is about all we have to look forward to other than the continued development of the young players.

But it’s looking increasingly possible that the Pistons will do nothing (or maybe a minor deal involving Nerlens Noel) at the trade deadline and that may be the smartest plan for several reasons.

Detroit Pistons: The argument for staying quiet at the trade deadline

Turning the corner

At some point, this team has to make a real effort to be good and win games, and Troy Weaver has indicated that time is next season. Trading away two very productive players who happen to be two of the best 3-point shooters in the league and on team-friendly contracts is not the way to reach that goal.

Get lucky in the draft and add the right free agents, and Detroit could be in the mix next season, as the NBA is wide open and there is more parity than ever before. We never even got to see what this team could be with Cade Cunningham, and his return, coupled with growth and some added talent, could make the Pistons very interesting next year. It’s time to make that happen, as patience is wearing thin with the “restoration” which needs to yield some quantifiable results soon.

The deals aren’t going anywhere

Bojan Bogdanovic is locked into a contract for next season and has a partially-guaranteed year after that, so his value is not going to diminish much if any over the course of a few months. The Pistons have indicated that they would like to extend Burks as well, so neither of these players are  likely to be rentals for next season.

They will still have the same value in the offseason or at next year’s trade deadline if things don’t work out, so there is no need to jettison them before we’ve really even seen them play with the full roster.

More teams fancy themselves contenders in the offseason and the return for Bogdanovic or Burks could be even greater.

Wait for the draft

Last year, Troy Weaver was able to swing a deal around the NBA Draft and the same could be true this season. The Pistons may as well wait it out and see where they end up in the lottery before making any big moves, as the right pick may make those moves unnecessary. If the Detroit Pistons fall, they may be able to package one of these guys with their pick to land an impact wing player like OG Anuoby. Right now, the Detroit Pistons are just sellers in these deals, but the right pick could make them a buyer, so it behooves them to wait and see what happens in the lottery.

So don’t fret if the trade deadline comes and goes and the Pistons don’t do anything, as it doesn’t rule out big future moves and may actually make them easier.