We are now into the part of the season when teams are evaluating their rosters and making plans for the trade deadline, and that includes the Detroit Pistons.
We probably won’t know until then what the Pistons are going to do, as they would like to make the play-in and play some real games this season, but won’t do it at the cost of their young core that Trajan Langdon is evaluating.
It’s possible we’ll see one of them moved, but the Pistons are currently hovering between buyer and seller and may end up doing a bit of both at the trade deadline.
Marc Stein (subscription) recently reported that there are several teams already prepared to cut deals with anyone who will pick up the phone and revealed three more that will be joining them soon.
Could any of them help the Pistons?
Immediate sellers
Washington, Brooklyn, Utah
I wrote about the possibility of making a low-level trade with Washington and I am not against this approach, as it would allow the Pistons to chase the play-in without sacrificing much or getting into expensive long-term obligations.
Brooklyn is another team that might have players who could help the Pistons. My fondness for Dennis Schroder is well documented, but the NY Post recently reported that the Nets are looking for a first-round pick, which rules him out for the Pistons, as they are not going to trade draft assets they don’t have for a guy on an expiring deal.
You can probably rule out the Nets.
As for the Jazz, the Pistons should definitely kick the tires on John Collins, who is playing well this season, averaging 18 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists on outstanding shooting splits of 54/44/92, putting him in the 50/40/90 club so far this season.
He’s a versatile big who can play the four or five in small-ball lineups, hit 3’s and his contract fits the timeline Trajan Langdon set at the beginning of the season.
The problem is Danny Ainge, who always wants more than market value for a player and rarely settles for less. Buyer beware with him.
Soon to be sellers
Toronto, Portland, Chicago
Toronto may be more likely to sell off parts now that Scottie Barnes is hurt again, though they don’t have much that would help the Pistons.
It would be foolish to buy high on Jakob Poeltl. Would Toronto entertain trading RJ Barrett? I’m dubious.
Portland has a couple of young centers who could help the Pistons theoretically, but I’d run away from Jerami Grant and/or Anfernee Simons, who are both terrible value for their cost.
Chicago is a team we’ve written about a million times, as their guys have been in non-stop trade rumors.
I wouldn’t mind Nikola Vucevic potentially, as his deal only goes through next season and is a bargain the way he’s playing, but please stay away from Zach LaVine, especially in a deal like this, as the Pistons can’t sacrifice defense for offense.
Of these six teams, Utah and Chicago likely offer the best options, but there isn't a clear-cut target here that would make the Pistons contenders right away.