Big swing or inactivity for the Pistons at the trade deadline?

The Detroit Pistons have had a better start than expected, but let’s not get carried away. 

This is still a team with a lot of holes and issues, so even the most optimistic among us wouldn’t consider them much more than a fringe play-in team, which is exactly what they are at this point in the season. 

With a tough upcoming schedule, that could change quickly, especially if Cade Cunningham has to miss many more games, so the decision to go for it or stand pat will likely be clearer after this stretch. 

But are the Pistons really likely to do anything big just to chase a play-in berth? Not likely. 

Don’t expect a big trade from the Detroit Pistons this year 

I’m sure Trajan Langdon is exploring all options and I am sure we are going to talk about plenty of trade possibilities between now and February, but it’s hard to see the Pistons making a drastic move. 

Keith Langlois of NBA.com agrees and said as much in a recent mailbag: 

"I would put the odds of a significant in-season move pretty low, less than 20 percent. There could well be a minor deal around the trade deadline, something that perhaps nets a second-round pick or two. What that might be is anybody’s guess at this point. The Eastern Conference is a mad jumble now, but there will likely be more definition as we get closer to the trade deadline and then we’ll have a better idea of which teams are looking to add and what they might be seeking. I just don’t see the Pistons as being especially active this season unless something is offered that’s too promising to pass up."

Given Langdon’s promise not to skip steps and his pragmatic approach so far, it’s hard to see him speeding up the timeline unless there is something real at stake. 

If by some chance the Pistons are actually in the mix for the playoffs, Langdon may more inclined to do something splashy, but if they are hovering around the 10th seed, he’s probably smart to let it play out. 

Fringe move or an unwanted star 

I could definitely see the Pistons making a smaller move to improve their roster, as they certainly have some holes. 

A backup ballhandler or wing who can create would be ideal, though the Pistons could also potentially use depth at center. 

If they are near the play-in at the trade deadline, I’d love to see Detroit make a move for a guy on an expiring deal if it didn’t cost too much, a player like Lonzo Ball (if healthy) or maybe even a bigger swing like Dennis Schroder. 

Otherwise, this team has chemistry, is playing hard and may be able to make the play-in without a significant addition. 

We may see them deal Tim Hardaway Jr. or Simone Fontecchio for future draft capital, and I am sure contending teams will try to pry Mailk Beasley away, and those might be the only moves we see, hardly earth-shattering stuff. 

The only caveat is if the Pistons get a chance to land an impact player they’d like to sign for the future, someone with years left on their deal or willing to re-sign and stick around, a player like Brandon Ingram immediately comes to mind. 

There is always going to be trade chatter, but if you are expecting or hoping for a huge move, you might be disappointed this season.