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Former MVP free agent is a better Pistons fit than most fans realize

This free agent has an MVP resume to prove he's worth the swing.
Jan 16, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) : Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Jan 16, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) : Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

All eyes have shifted towards the trade market for the Detroit Pistons to upgrade their roster this offseason, but that's not the only area that could help Trajan Langdon improve his team this summer.

In fact, a former MVP is sitting in free agency who could be the exact veteran move that could not only help the Pistons make a run at the top seed in the Eastern Conference again next season, but potentially finally get over the hump.

And if you haven't figured out who that player is yet, I'll enlighten you: Russell Westbrook.

Russell Westbrook is the perfect plug-in player for the Pistons bench

Westbrook isn't the same player he used to be by any means, but at 37, the athletic guard is still producing at an extremely high level.

After waiting nearly the entire offseason last summer to find a deal, the future Hall of Famer proved himself in a major way this season, proving to be arguably one of the most consistent players for the Sacramento Kings.

Considering the Kings' struggles, though, that doesn't mean a whole lot.

Still, averaging 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds on shooting splits of 42.7% from field goal range and 33.8% from beyond the arc, it's clear that the veteran guard still has plenty left in the tank.

Obviously, returning to Sacramento could offer Westbrook an opportunity to remain in the starting lineup, but given the playmaker's urgency to contend for a championship as the back half of his career unfolds, it feels like a safe bet to assume the UCLA product will test the water in free agency.

For the Pistons, that could be a great sign, especially for a team who's lacked a reliable option outside of Cade Cunningham who could run the offense efficiently.

If you're still not sold on the potential addition, perhaps knowing it won't cost a whole lot will sell you on a Westbrook swing.

Westbrook likely wouldn't cost Detroit much at all

Westbrook landed in Sacramento not entirely because he viewed the situation as his preferred landing spot, but because it was one of his only options.

That alone isn't exactly reassuring, but it's fair to assume the hesitancy to sign Westbrook from teams this offseason won't be the same this time around.

The veteran guard could be a legitimate boost for whatever team lands him, and the Pistons, who clearly need to upgrade their backcourt depth, should at least consider extending an offer to the nine-time All-Star.

Finding an option at his talent level, on what many expect to be another veteran minimum contract this offseason, is too good to pass up.

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