The narrative around the Detroit Pistons and their roster has certainly changed this season.
We entered 2024-25 thinking this team still needed a big addition or two to compete for the playoffs, then they went out and secured a playoff spot without one, which has tempered the desire for a big move.
With a team built around young players on the come up, it’s not unthinkable that the Pistons could be contending for titles within a few seasons without a drastic addition.
The Pistons do have some free-agent options, so could potentially bolster their roster without gutting it, but if they want to trade for an impact player, it is going to cost.
There has already been speculation about Michael Porter Jr’s future availability now that the Nuggets have shockingly fired their coaching staff and front office just before the playoffs.
If the Pistons do want to make a big trade, one player will almost certainly have to be involved, which would be a big blow to the culture they have established and developed this season.
Detroit Pistons trade rumors: Tobias Harris
If the Pistons make a trade for a player already on a big contract, then Tobias Harris will almost have to be involved, as he is the only big salary the Pistons have.
His $25 million expiring deal will potentially be valuable in a trade, as it offsets most of a big salary and Harris is a guy who can still play while offering future financial flexibility.
Replacing Harris’ points and rebounds wouldn’t be that tough, but he’s brought intangibles that have helped this team and assisted the development of their young guys.
He’s a vocal leader who has had a calming and stabilizing effect on the young players. Given all of this, you could argue that Harris has been the team’s second-most important player this season behind Cade Cunningham, as Harris is a part of all of their best lineups, and they struggle without him.
I do believe that Trajan Langdon likely viewed Harris as a future trade chip when he gave him a two-year deal, as it allowed for development this season and a big expiring deal the next, but that was before Detroit’s stunning renaissance, which Harris has been a big part of, which may change how Langdon views the veteran.
Langdon may not want to tinker too much with something that is working and could look to bring back this current roster (or most of it) with a free-agent addition or two instead.
How the team performs in the playoffs may be the deciding factor, as winning a first-round series or even getting close may lead Langdon to conclude the roster doesn’t need much change.