The Detroit Pistons would like to upgrade their roster at the trade deadline without disrupting what they have going right now, which won’t be an easy task, as most of the impact players we see in rumors would cost one or more of Detroit’s young players to acquire. That could prompt Trajan Langdon to look within his own division for less costly upgrades.
The Chicago Bulls are in their predictable position as the 11th-seed in the Eastern Conference after a hot start that had fans in the Windy City excited for about five minutes. They are a team going nowhere that has a bunch of expiring contracts, with three in particular that could appeal to the Pistons.
Kevin Huerter is interesting until you look closer
The Pistons could use an injection of shooting that Huerter could theoretically provide, though he’s only shooting 31 percent from long range this season. He’s over 37 percent for his career and would likely be getting better looks on the Pistons.
He’s not an exciting option, especially when you factor in his $17 million contract, which would be tough for the Pistons to match without sending back a better player. I’ve already talked myself out of Huerter. Next!
Coby White could provide impact for a contender
This would be the splashiest option on the Bulls if Chicago decides to trade White, which is not a given, as they seem to have zero clue what they are doing in Chicago and are just as likely to let him walk in free agency for nothing so they can chase the play-in tournament. Perpetual mediocrity seems to be the goal in Chicago, so you never know what they’ll do.
White is a bona fide 20+ppg scorer who is only making $12.8 million this season, so he’ll be a popular rental idea for a lot of teams. He hasn’t shot the ball well since returning from injury, but he’s a career 37 percent shooter from long range on high volume.
He’s an interesting option depending on the cost. Given his contract situation, the Bulls have little leverage here, so they will likely be looking for a young player and a pick. The Pistons aren’t going to give up any of their top young guys for a rental, but could toss them Marcus Sasser and a first-round pick.
White is one of the best scorers that the Pistons could potentially land without giving up a core player, though there are some questions of fit with both him and Ivey occupying similar roles.
Ayo Dosunmu would be a perfect fit
Yes, please.
Ayo ticks a lot of boxes for the Pistons as a good defender who is shooting an incredible 47.5 percent from long range right now on four attempts per game.
Ayo can also handle the ball a little and is a guy I’ve long wanted for the Pistons, as he just seems like a cultural fit, and he can defend all over the court.
He’s a true 3-and-D wing, so if the Bulls make him available, he’ll have plenty of suitors as a guy on an expiring deal that only pays him $7.5 million this season.
Dosunmu is another guy the Pistons could feasibly land without giving up a core guy, so he’s a player we could hear about in rumors, especially if the Bulls continue to fall in the standings and it’s clear (even to them) that it’s time to blow it up.