The Detroit Pistons are hoping things go differently this season and if everything breaks their way, they could climb out of the cellar and finally compete in the Eastern Conference.
If so, they could be buyers at the trade deadline, moving some of their assets to acquire a player to help them win.
Of course, they could easily start off slowly, fall way back and end up trading several of their expiring contracts at the deadline, which unfortunately has a higher likelihood than the first scenario.
Either way, the Detroit Pistons will likely be busy at the trade deadline again as a team looking to sell off its parts or add one for a run at the play-in tournament.
Here are some of the teams that might be sniffing around certain Pistons players at the deadline. For now I am leaving out Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson and Isaiah Stewart, as it is difficult to see a scenario in which any of these players are traded.
Everyone else is up for grabs. I’m not saying any of these players will be traded, or that they should be, but there are teams out there that could use them.
A midseason trade partner for each Pistons player
Isaiah Livers: Shanghai Sharks
I don’t mean to be flippant here, but if Isaiah Livers doesn’t get healthy and prove he can be part of an NBA rotation for more than like 15 games at a time, his career in the NBA is not secure. It’s hard to imagine him being traded this season. If he is healthy, the Pistons can use him. If he is not, no one is going to trade for him anyway. This make-or-break season has had a nightmare start for Livers.
Marcus Sasser: Phoenix Suns
Sasser is another player who is not likely to be traded. The Pistons are high on him after trading up to get him, so the only way he is going anywhere is as a smaller part of a big trade. But just for the sake of argument, the Suns could definitely use a bench guard who can shoot and defend, as they currently have former Piston Saben Lee inked in as their third point guard.
A midseason trade partner for each Pistons player
Killian Hayes: San Antonio Spurs
Killian Hayes may have saved his career in Detroit with a strong training camp and preseason so far. With all of the injuries they’ve suffered, Hayes now looks like he’ll start the season in Monty Williams’ 10-man rotation. I hope so, as we’ve been cheering for Hayes to succeed and it looks like he’s put in the work to do so.
But if he ends up buried in the depth chart when Monte Morris returns, San Antonio would be the perfect spot for him. They need point guard depth and would have a meaningful role for him. The Spurs also have a couple of forwards that might interest Detroit.
Monte Morris: Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz have a couple of combo guards who fall into the “shoot first” category in Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton. They don’t really have a facilitator to run the show, so could come calling about Monte Morris, who has proven himself to be reliable. He could be a Mike Conley-light for the Jazz, who have a few players (Talen Horton-Tucker perhaps) who might interest the Pistons.
Jaden Ivey: Toronto Raptors
Coming into this offseason I would have bet heavily against Jaden Ivey being traded at any point this season. I would still bet against it but would temper that wager a bit after he was moved to the bench. We’ll have to see how things go with him and Cade Cunningham this season, but if it doesn’t work, Ivey will be the one shipped out. He’s arguably the Pistons’ best young asset in terms of guys they might actually be willing to trade, but it would likely take a star coming to Detroit for that to happen. If the Raptors decide their current core is not getting it done, they could pivot to a soft rebuild around OG Anunoby and Scottie Barnes and Ivey would be a nice get considering they currently have little depth at the guard spot after losing Fred VanVleet. With Pascal Siakam on an expiring deal, Toronto will be a team to watch all season.
A midseason trade partner for each Pistons player
Joe Harris: Houston Rockets
The Rockets were the worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA last season and have done little to change that, as the additions of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks aren’t going to help much. They were reportedly sniffing around Alec Burks, but the proposed trade made no sense for Detroit. It might make a bit more with Harris, who is unlikely to be a full-time part of the rotation this season. If Houston is within shouting distance of the play-in tournament at the deadline, they could look to add some additional shooting and Harris is one of the best shooters in NBA history, though he can’t do much else at this point. The questions are how the contracts would work and whether Houston has anything to swap for him.
Marvin Bagley III: Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have little big-man depth behind Nic Claxton, as they have just Day’Ron Sharpe and rookie Noah Clowney penciled in as their backup centers. MBIII has at least shown he can get buckets efficiently and the Nets could use a big man you can call plays for in the post from time to time. I’d love for Detroit to make a run at Dorian Finney-Smith, but he is probably out of their price range. Darius Bazley could be an interesting name to watch. But none of this will matter unless MBIII can stay healthy and produce, otherwise, he’s a $12.5 million sunk cost.
James Wiseman: Washington Wizards
This one makes so much sense I am ready to call it in now. The Wizards are rebuilding, have zero depth at center and could use a young guy with upside. Enter James Wiseman. They also have several players that could potentially help the Pistons in Deni Avdija, Corey Kispert and maybe even Patrick Baldwin Jr. The Wizards get to tank away while trying out a high-upside player. Sounds familiar. Wiseman’s ultimate role in the NBA might be to provide hope for crap teams.
A midseason trade partner for each Pistons player
Alec Burks: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers could definitely use another shooter coming off the bench and to help space the floor for their two stars. Burks’ contract and consistency as a shooter will make him a popular target for any contender that needs shooting. The Lakers aren’t going to give up a first-round pick for Burks (no team will) but they do have a couple of interesting players who might be better fits on the Pistons, especially if Hayes and Sasser can emerge as rotation pieces. Taurean Prince is a name to watch, as he offers more size, forward depth and can shoot a little.
Bojan Bogdanovic: Golden State Warriors
Bogdanovic is another guy who will have a lot of suitors and this is likely the year the Detroit Pistons trade him, as his deal is only partially guaranteed after this season and they need to start looking for his eventual replacement. The Golden State Warriors will be going all in this season to win a title, and a guy like Bojan coming off their bench would be a huge asset, especially if they have any injuries. My dream scenario would be for the Pistons to swap Bojan for Jonathan Kuminga, though that may be too much for a 34-year-old, it really depends on how this season goes for Golden State. If Kuminga doesn’t have a big role, the Warriors might look to upgrade his spot with someone who can offer more scoring.