Even though recent reports have indicated the Detroit Pistons don’t plan to go big at the trade deadline, that hasn’t stopped them from being included in various fake trades, including a blockbuster for Trey Murphy III.
The Pelicans haven't been shopping their top wing, but there is feeling that he can be pried away for the right price.
Bleacher Report’s latest trade proposal not only lands the Pistons the shooter many people think they need, but also reunites them with Saddiq Bey:
There is a lot to digest here.
The Pistons would be getting a shooting upgrade in Murphy III, who can also act as a secondary scorer, Saddiq Bey, who is averaging 14 points and six rebounds this season (on a terrible, team, sound familiar?) and reserve Micah Peavy, a 6-foot-7 rookie who has played 16 minutes per game this season for New Orleans. Peavy was a second rounder known for his defense, and is an intriguing project, so he’s more than just a throwaway here.
Detroit would be giving up the expiring contract of Tobias Harris, two picks (more on that in a second) and Ron Holland, who would clearly be the big loss here.
This type of trade would be at the high end of what I expect from the Pistons at the trade deadline, and one they’d have to consider carefully, as they are potentially giving up chemistry for a different kind of talent.
Trading away Ron Holland and Tobias Harris would be painful
Let’s start with the picks.
The Pistons’ picks have lost value now that it looks like they’ll be sustainably good, which hurts any chances they have of using them in a big trade.
Detroit would far rather put protections on the later pick, as there is a solid chance they’ll be good in 2027, and that pick will end up in the 20’s, where the 2030 pick is far less certain. The Pistons would want protections on that pick as well.
People just keep throwing Ron Holland’s name into these trades, but he may be a deal-breaker for the Pistons. If you watch Detroit night in and night out, Holland is an important part of their team defense and often provides a spark from the bench.
He’s so young and has already shown signs of two-way stardom, so it would be a tough pill to swallow. Holland is also under team control, so my feeling is the Pistons would far rather include Jaden Ivey in a deal like this than Holland, and it could be the thing that would stop a deal like this from happening.
Tobias Harris wouldn’t be a small loss either, as Trey Murphy III is not a true power forward, and the Pistons would lose some interior defense and leadership in the exchange.
Losing both Harris and Holland would be a blow to team chemistry even if TMIII and Bey were able to work their way into the rotation without much challenge.
All signs are pointing to the Pistons not making a huge trade at the deadline, but this one is an interesting possibility. The Pistons do need shooting and another reliable scoring option that Murphy would provide. He’s also under contract for several more years at a favorable number, so they wouldn’t be selling out their long-term financial health for a short-term gain.
Like I said, there is plenty to digest here, which is why this one is a tough call and one I am glad I don’t have to make.