The Detroit Pistons haven't exactly made a noteworthy move this offseason, which alone has offered a reason for frustration throughout a fanbase that envisioned a splash this summer.
It's easy to point fingers at Trajan Langdon and get upset at the timid approach to improve the roster around Cade Cunningham, especially considering the Pistons' second-round exit screamed that additional weapons needed to be added.
Langdon has focused on improving around the margins, adding names like John Collins, Isaiah Joe, and Ebuka Okorie up to this point, but the majority of the focus has gone into the ongoing saga between Detroit and restricted free agent Jalen Duren, who has yet to find middle ground on a contract extension.
The frustration for the Pistons' somewhat quiet offseason is valid, but Rome wasn't built in a day, and with Detroit saving their ammo for a future move, they're quietly lined up to outbid teams at the trade deadline if they deem a move is needed.
Pistons could be eyeing a splash at the trade deadline
Obviously, the offseason is the ideal time for teams to improve their roster, between the NBA Draft, free agency, and the stretch of months where teams are eligible to make trades.
It's hard to judge exactly what the team needs, though, without seeing what they currently have on paper hit the floor together.
Moving on from names like Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart, and Caris LeVert alone will alter how the Pistons play, and while some offseason additions may look like seamless fits that improve the roster, others could prove to be players that simply don't fit the system.
Doing too much too soon often gets teams in trouble, and with Detroit opting to not make a bold swing up to this point, they've managed to keep the assets that allow them to potentially get aggressive when the trade deadline rolls around in February.
And with how active the league is before the deadline, playing the long game could prove to be well worth the Pistons' patience.
Whether a team like the New Orleans Pelicans opts to come off their steep asking price for Trey Murphy III or an unexpected star becomes available on the trade block, the Pistons will be equipped to make a run in either scenario, as opposed to a team like the Miami Heat or Minnesota Timberwolves, who used their assets to make a splash this summer instead.
It's hard to stay patient, especially when teams around you are improving, but Detroit's decision to play the long game may come back to prove extremely beneficial.
Add us as a preferred source on Google