The Detroit Pistons have had a fairly boring offseason, as they added two draft picks and made trades for Joe Harris and Monte Morris. These additions should help, but they hardly grabbed headlines outside of the Motor City.
It’s been a quiet offseason for the league in general for a few reasons. The new CBA has harsher penalties for going over the second luxury tax apron, so teams are being a little tighter with their budgets.
Teams are also waiting around for some big trades and their inevitable fallout, namely Damian Lillard and James Harden, whose imminent trades could drastically change the rosters of many teams around the league.
It’s likely going to take more than one trade partner to get these deals done given the salaries and the demands of the stars involved, but we are finally starting to see some movement which could precede a lot of action.
With things continuing to stall around James Harden, focus has turned to the possible Damian Lillard trade, which could happen soon.
How the Detroit Pistons can cash in on the imminent Damian Lillard trade
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald recently confirmed a report that the Trail Blazers would like to get this deal finished before training camp starts.
This was how it was described tonight by non Heat person who spoke with Portland FO. This is first time I've gotten sense Blazers would like to make deal before camp, if they get what they want. (Big if) Heat obviously still in this despite passive Portland approach with Miami https://t.co/BY18JPuzyR
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) September 22, 2023
They clearly don’t want this lingering into the season, and may have a slew of new players to try and work onto their roster if the trade does happen, so would prefer them to be there when training camp opens.
It’s not guaranteed that team is going to be Miami, as a recent report suggested there was a mystery team in the Eastern Conference making a strong push for a Lillard trade.
No, the Detroit Pistons are not likely the mystery team making a late play for Lillard, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be involved.