The Detroit Pistons need to make some moves this offseason if they hope to get over the hump in the Eastern Conference, but to do that, they'll have to say goodbye to some familiar faces.
If push comes to shove, Duncan Robinson may be one of the first names to go, and if that's the case, Detroit could have the perfect replacement staring them right in the face.
Any move to upgrade the roster would almost certainly require sending a decent chunk of outgoing salary out, and fortunately for Detroit, general manager Trajan Langdon has several options to choose from.
Arguably the most expendable option for the Pistons is sharpshooter Duncan Robinson, who was among the team's biggest offseason additions last summer, signing a three-year, $47.9 million contract to land in the Motor City.
Moving Robinson this soon may not be the top option for some in the fanbase, especially given the need for outside shooting for J.B. Bickerstaff's squad, but what if I told you Detroit has the ideal successor waiting to be acquired from an Eastern Conference rival?
Pistons could replace Duncan Robinson with Sam Hauser
The Boston Celtics are heading for a pivotal offseason themselves, and the buzz from Beantown suggests that one of the most obvious moves to come this offseason is the team offloading Sam Hauser's contract.
Hauser is shooting 41.2% from beyond the arc throughout his four-year career, and he's coming off a career-best year, averaging 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
At 28, not only is Hauser four years younger than Robinson, but he's a much cheaper option, making only $11.25 million per season.
Beyond that, the Virginia product is under contract until the 2029 offseason, so he's not a one-year rental.
There's a case to be made that Hauser is less of a liability to have on the court than Robinson, given he's more of a capable defender than Detroit's sharpshooter.
If Detroit were interested, it likely wouldn't cost much to get a deal across the finish line with Boston, considering the Celtics are seeking more financial flexibility than anything else right now.
Draft compensation could be enough to get a deal done, but it truly depends on what other moves Detroit makes.
Detroit could use Robinson's salary as perfect filler in bigger trade
There's no telling just how aggressive Detroit will be on the open market yet, but assuming a sizable move is on the horizon, any deal would likely include Robinson's contract.
Caris LeVert is another trade option that could interest teams, but given his lackluster season and the upside of having a marksman like Robinson on the roster, it feels like any deal would have Robinson included in it.
Regardless, Detroit needs to find Cade Cunningham a viable second option on offense, and if Robinson is indeed on his way out, it could be a comforting thought to know Hauser is up for grabs.
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