Pistons' most tradable contracts could add up to the star they need

The Detroit Pistons didn’t make a move for a star this summer, but they did set themselves up to make one in the future. 

The Pistons were held back in the trade market last trade deadline and even this offseason by a lack of contracts to aggregate to match salaries in a big trade. The Pistons could have figured it out this offseason if the right deal presented itself, but it never did, so Trajan Langdon had to plan for the future. 

That included adding players on reasonable short-term deals that would be easy to trade, as well as insurance for those players if the Pistons finally do make a big move at the trade deadline. 

Duncan Robinson and John Collins are a good start to a big trade 

We are going to hear plenty about this next season, as both Robinson and Collins are on team-friendly contracts that are not guaranteed past next year, so expect to see them in all of the fake trades. 

They are also guys who can stil play, so they aren't just salary dumps for teams trying to compete, which increases the number of teams that might want to deal.

Their contracts add up to $32 million, which would get you most of the way to a player like Kyrie Irving (just an example). 

This is where the somewhat confusing deal for Kevin Huerter could come in handy, either as an additional salary to help match or as a replacement for Robinson if the Pistons have to move him in the middle of the season. 

With Isaiah Joe also on board, the Pistons are much better positioned to deal Robinson than they were last season, so if Detroit deals at the deadline, expect Robinson to be involved. 

The Pistons also have expiring deals in Taurean Prince, Gary Harris, Daniss Jenkins, Tolu Smith and Chaz Lanier (non-guaranteed) they could pile together to make up salary difference. 

Detroit is deep enough to make a lopsided trade where they send out multiple players for one guy, something that would have been much more difficult last season after the Pistons decided Tobias Harris was too important to move. 

Which star will the Pistons target? 

Ah, this is the big question and one that is tough to answer at the end of July when every team still thinks they have a shot. 

Detroit reportedly pursued Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving this summer, even using Cade Cunningham to help recruit, but their respective teams weren’t ready to deal. That might not be true at the trade deadline, so the Pistons could revisit these two. 

Will Utah finally budge on Lauri Markkanen if things aren’t working out in Utah? I’m sure Michael Porter Jr’s name will be thrown around again, and the Pelicans may rethink their ridiculous asking price for Trey Murphy III once they realize they still stink after adding nothing to a bad team. 

Detroit will have the contracts to make an aggressive offer and the depth to withstand the loss of several players. I get that some fans are disappointed with the offseason so far, but the Pistons are right where they want to be even after striking out this summer. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow