Pistons, Bulls could target each other in trades

The Detroit Pistons are one game into the preseason but that won’t stop speculation about the future. 

Until they prove otherwise, the Pistons are entering another placeholder/evaluation season, though there were some signs in the win over the Bucks that Detroit could be better than expected this season. 

But with young players, cap space and veterans on expiring deals, the Pistons are going to be mentioned in just about every trade rumor this season, so we may as well prepare for it. 

As usual, Bleacher Report got the ball rolling by naming players each team should pursue and there were some interesting options for the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls. 

The Bulls are on the verge of a rebuild but not quite there yet and the perpetually rebuilding Pistons are looking for ways to add wins without long-term obligations.  

The trades may come later in the season but right now the Pistons are in evaluation mode, as Trajan Langdon tries to figure out which young players are ultimately going to make up the core of his roster. 

Detroit Pistons trades: Cap space and patience 

The Pistons not only have a bit of cap space, but they have at least one open roster spot, so they are in a position to make another addition at some point. 

For now, Trajan Langdon seems content to go into the season with that flexibility, which is smart, as the Pistons can adjust at the trade deadline and decide which direction they want to go based on how they are performing and their place in the standings. 

If they are competitive for the play-in, we could see them make a move to improve at the deadline, something that has not happened in a LONG time. 

If they are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference again, we will likely see veterans on expiring contracts (Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr.) dealt to contenders for whatever assets they can get. 

Let’s hope it’s the former, but if the Pistons do eventually go trade hunting, the Bulls are a team they could target and vice versa.