Everyone has a take on whether the Detroit Pistons should trade for a star player this summer.
I’m sure Trajan Langdon and co. will explore every option, even ones that have little chance of happening in reality.
Some fans do need a reality check on what a star trade would look like for Detroit, as everyone is all-in on the big star name until they see what it might take to get it done. Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press recently gave some fans that dose of reality by laying out possible trades for Devin Booker, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Pistons fans may not agree, but the trades he came up with are fair and represent the realistic cost for acquiring one of these players.
I’ve already discussed Booker and how his likely upcoming extension takes him off the table for good, and when it really comes down to it, I’d rather have Jaden Ivey at a third of the contract cost.
But the other two star trades show just how painful it would be for the Pistons to make a big move.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
I highly doubt Giannis is going anywhere. He hasn’t demanded a trade, and Milwaukee will do everything they can to keep him.
Even if he did ask out, much of the league would be bidding for his services, and there are certainly teams that could offer more than the Pistons.
Sankofa suggests a trade that would send Tobias Harris, Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland II, four first-round picks, two first-round swaps and eight second round picks for Giannis, phew.
I don’t think he’s wrong, as the Bucks aren’t trading Giannis unless they get a haul, and this would be a haul.
As exciting as the idea of Cade Cunningham with Giannis Antetokounmpo is, that is a steep cost that would leave the Pistons’ roster with no depth at the wing.
Conversely, you could argue that a team with Cade, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Giannis would be pretty good no matter who was around them, but that is a lot of minutes to fill, and we’ve seen how important depth is in the NBA Finals.
Giannis is not a realistic option, but what about Jaren Jackson Jr.?
Jaren Jackson Jr.
This proposed trade is a little more palatable, as it only sends out Isaiah Stewart, Ausar Thompson and one first-round pick for Jackson Jr. who is on the cusp of a big raise.
If the Pistons could find a way to get Thompson out of that deal, it’s one they would have to consider, as JJJ is a nice pairing with Duren and would presumably be signing an extension to stay.
You can talk yourself into it even with Thompson involved, as a starting five of Cade, Ivey, Harris, JJJ and Duren would be interesting. The Pacers have done well with a similar pairing with Haliburton and Siakam mixed with continuity and chemistry.
The point is that it isn’t cut and dry and the Pistons will have to balance their desire for another star with the need to maintain value contracts and depth. In the end, my bet would be on the Pistons opting for patience for now.