Familar names among Pistons top 3 trade targets

The Detroit Pistons' improved start has some wondering if they will make a move at the trade deadline to improve the roster and make a real run at the playoffs. 

Coming into the season, it seemed more likely we’d see more of the same, which is the Pistons selling off veterans on short-term or expiring deals for assets, kicking the can down the road again and again. 

The Pistons aren’t yet a good team, but in the mediocre Eastern Conference, they have a strong chance at the play-in tournament, especially with playoff regular Philadelphia struggling. 

So, should the Pistons go for it? Yes and no, as I would love to see them add a veteran point guard or secondary creator that could push this team into the playoffs, but they shouldn’t sacrifice long-term sustainability to get it. 

In a recent article, Bleacher Report named the top three trade targets for every team and the three they listed for the Pistons are names we’ve heard before. 

All of them have pros and cons but would be the types of players the Pistons should target if they are near the playoffs at the deadline. 

Brandon Ingram 

I’m not going into this one again, as we’ve been talking about Ingram for years now. If Trajan Langdon wanted him, he’d be a Piston already and there is a strong argument that they should just wait and try to nab him in free agency next summer.

We all know the pros and cons of BI at this point. He’d be the most expensive on this list in terms of assets and future contract and I am not sure Langdon is keen on staking his team’s future on BI's health again as he did in New Orleans.

Malcolm Brogdon 

Brogdon fits more into the category of players that could help the Pistons now without costing much in terms of assets or contract. 

He’s on an expiring deal and the Wizards would likely give him up for some second-round picks, which the Pistons have. 

Brogdon has only played four games this season but he has a long career of solid play both on and off the ball as a combo guard. He has averaged just under 40 percent from long range and maybe most importantly, takes care of the ball, as he has averaged just 1.7 turnovers per game for his career. 

He’d potentially help the Pistons close out games (he’s also an excellent free-throw shooter) and provide some secondary ball handling off the bench when Cade Cunningham is out. 

Dennis Schroder 

I’ve made my affinity for Schroder well known, and to me, he’d be a perfect trade target for the Pistons. 

He’s on a lowball, expiring contract, is shooting the best of his career, takes care of the ball and would give the Pistons the secondary creator they lack. Schroder can play on or off the ball and is currently averaging 18 points and 6.5 assists per game while shooting over 41 percent from long range. 

The question is cost, as he could be a hot commodity at the trade deadline and given his age and contract status, the Pistons wouldn’t want to give up too much to get him. 

Any of these three players would help fill a need, but come at different price points in trades as well as future cost to retain them.