Detroit Pistons: 13 NBA stars who could be traded this season

Detroit Pistons: 13 NBA stars who could be traded this season

Karl-Anthony Towns: Minnesota Timberwolves

The ‘Wolves are up against it salary-wise, as they have a lot invested in KAT and Rudy Gobert and it would be almost impossible to move Gobert given his contract. Teams may be reluctant to take on KAT, who is still an elite scorer and stretch five, but hasn’t been able to stay healthy in three of the last four seasons and still has many of the same defensive issues he had when he entered the league.

He’s also still owed a ton of money, including a whopping $61 million player option in 2027-28, so it’s hard to see the ‘Wolves getting a big haul of assets for him. Would Bojan Bogdanovic, Marvin Bagley III and Killian Hayes be enough to land KAT? Would the Detroit Pistons even want him?

I’m definitely not sold on Towns, but he is a star that the Pistons could realistically land. Whether that would be a good thing is up for debate.

Pascal Siakam: Toronto Raptors

The Raptors are much like the Bulls in that they are basically running back a worse version of a team that was very mediocre last season. Siakam is a name that has been mentioned for the Detroit Pistons, though I am not sure I ultimately like his fit with Cade Cunningham. But Detroit does need a power forward, so they could be in the Siakam market if he does become available.

Unlike Towns, he’s on an expiring deal, so it’s a risk for any team to trade for him without an extension attached, meaning he won’t have quite as much value on the trade market. His next contract is going to be pricey, so he’s another one whose reward might not outweigh the financial risk.

Zion Williamson: New Orleans Pelicans

Talk about a risk, Zion Williams might represent the biggest one in the NBA, as he is an All-NBA talent who has never been able to stay healthy. It’s hard to see the Pelicans trading him now, as his value is at an all-time low considering his max extension only kicks in next season. He’d have to stay healthy for him to be tradable, and if he is, the Pelicans will probably be good and have no need to trade him. The only way he gets moved is if they start out slowly and the Pels see trading him as their best way for a soft rebuild around the rest of their young talent. It’s a huge IF, and very unlikely, but don’t be surprised if he comes up as a trade target at some point this season.