The vibe around the Detroit Pistons has changed since the beginning of this season.
What was being billed as another developmental year for evaluation has turned into a .500 record, a possible playoff berth and people now asking if the Pistons should be buyers at the deadline.
The Pistons have to be careful not to get ahead of themselves here, as they are building something nice and don’t need to disrupt it for moderate short-term gains.
They can’t sacrifice too much of the future for the present, especially when many of the available stars come with big red flags.
The decision of whether to go for it or not will be the primary one Trajan Langdon has to make this season and it’s not an easy call, something that is reflected in two recent trade proposals that show exactly what he’s up against.
Trading for Zach LaVine
These trades came from Bleacher Report, who put together trade ideas for all of the major names that are reportedly available.
LaVine is a name we’ve heard many times before but people are circling back around to him since he’s playing so well and Jaden Ivey may be out for the season. Here’s what B/R came up with for LaVine:
The sad thing about this trade proposal is that the Pistons could have had LaVine for practically nothing last summer when his value was at an all-time low.
LaVine would give the Pistons a legit second option, a guy who could take a ton of pressure off Cunningham and potentially do it without giving up any of their core guys.
Harris and THJ have been helpful for Detroit, but Hardaway is on an expiring deal and Harris is only signed through next season, so they are not long-term pieces.
So essentially the Pistons are giving up Klintman (who has yet to play for them but looks interesting) and a 2027 1st for LaVine.
Given LaVine’s salary, trading for him would be their big move until his contract was off the books, which won’t be for two more seasons. You’d have to ask if LaVine, plus the team they have minus Harris and THJ, would be enough to compete in the Eastern Conference for the next two seasons, as this is the team they’d be stuck with.
The answer is I have no idea. If you are getting this healthy LaVine who is scoring efficiently shooting 51/44/81, or the one that is always hurt. Two more years of this LaVine would be worth it, but we know the risks.
And after giving away the only two power forwards on the roster, what would the Pistons’ lineup even look like?
Cade, LaVine, Holland, Thompson and Duren? Is that team big enough? Could they get enough rebounds?
What happens when Ivey returns? Does he join the starting five and make the defense even worse? Come off the bench? If it’s the latter, I do love the idea of Ivey leading the bench but there are more questions than answers.
As tempting as it is, I’d pass.
Trading for Brandon Ingram
Another name we’ve heard a million times and another big red flag, especially considering he is currently hurt and not even playing, a common theme in his career.
Ingram doesn’t come with any long-term salary obligations, but giving up a haul to get a guy on an expiring deal comes with its own risks.
Here is what B/R came up with for Ingram:
I first have to wonder if Ingram is even going to command this much as a potential rental who hasn’t played since early December.
Take Stewart out and this is a no-brainer and maybe it is even with him in there. I’d rather replace Stewart with Harris since Ingram could just slide into the four-spot with Harris gone and is a tougher fit at the three.
The question hanging over any deal for BI is what is next? He wants a big max contract, but that should be a no-go for Detroit and I think it is, as Trajan Langdon knows how hard it is to build a team around guys on max deals who are always hurt, specifically Brandon Ingram.
He’s made getting players without long injury histories a priority, so I can’t see him going all-in on Ingram unless the price is lower or he agrees to re-sign at a team-friendly number or on a short-term deal that doesn’t extend beyond 2-3 years.
These two trades show what the Pistons are up against at the trade deadline. If they want to add impact talent, it will come with big risks, which is why I am ok with Langdon being patient.
This team is fun and will be more appealing to free agents and star players in the offseason after hopefully making at least a play-in appearance.
That’s why I’m backing a move for CJ McCollum, who would be cheaper, isn’t always hurt and only has one more season left on his deal.