Obviously, all eyes are on the looming NBA Playoffs, but after the recent developments around the league, the Detroit Pistons should be considering a blockbuster trade for Kawhi Leonard that could turn their title dreams into a reality.
The Pistons are inching closer to the postseason with championship aspirations despite the increasing amount of doubt surrounding the team's title chances.
Detroit has proven they're on the right path this season after securing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, but regular-season success doesn't directly translate to the postseason, especially with the concerns head coach J.B. Bickerstaff's squad faces entering a seven-game series.
And while making a bold offseason trade may not be on the team's to-do list at the moment, when a prime opportunity presents itself, good teams jump at the chance to get better.
Kawhi Leonard perfectly fits the Pistons
Kawhi Leonard's long been considered one of the best defensive players in the league, and that alone perfectly aligns him with the style of a defensive coach like Bickerstaff.
Beyond that, the superstar forward has proven to be one of the most dangerous offensive players in the league, and his strong play has continued throughout this season, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on 50.5% shooting from field goal range and 38.7% from beyond the arc.
At 34, Leonard may not be the ideal blockbuster swing for a younger team, but considering he's still playing at the top of his game, there are plenty of reasons why a team like Detroit could be persuaded into making this type of move.
There's no denying that the financial implications behind a move would play a major factor in any decision, but the possibility that the two-time Defensive Player of the Year could help Detroit get over the hump, similarly to the way he helped the Toronto Raptors in 2019, the risk would be worth the reward.
With NBA insider Marc Stein suggesting Leonard could be a player on the move this offseason, this could be the exact door Detroit has been waiting to open; a deal that wouldn't cost them a steep price equal to the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, but one that could still put them over the top.
A bold move will hinge on the Pistons postseason run
Detroit is entering the playoffs with expectations that they have enough to make a championship run, even with the outside noise suggesting they don't.
If the Pistons can make a deep playoff run, perhaps they will choose to make minor moves that may make more sense financially and give the team more flexibility in the future.
Assuming their playoff push doesn't meet expectations, they may find themselves forced to take a hard look in the mirror and consider a blockbuster trade that could solidify them as a top contender.
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