The Pistons have been patient with their roster construction, and it’s paid off now that Giannis Antetokounmpo is potentially available. Giannis is the exact type of megastar that is actually worth a massive trade package. He’s been a perennial MVP candidate for nearly a decade and he can elevate his next team to an instant championship contender.
The Pistons would relish Giannis’ services
Some Pistons fans are content to sit pat and let the current roster continue to develop. But Wednesday night’s letdown loss exposed the team’s glaring weaknesses. They still lack shooting to an alarming degree and the inside finishing isn’t enough to make up for that deficiency.
But Giannis can easily fix that problem. He’s the league’s best finisher in traffic, and it’s not particularly close. Giannis averages nearly 20 points per game in the paint alone; the next highest player is at 14.7. Even with the Pistons’ miserable spacing, Giannis can find his way to rim baskets.
Giannis’ elite scoring and gravity in the paint can also fully unlock the Pistons budding superstar Cade Cunningham. With Giannis on the team, Cade would have to deal with less defensive pressure and could create the league’s best pick and roll. Imaging the alley-oop finishes from Cade to Giannis are tantalizing.
Instantly, Giannis would turn the Pistons into East favorites and possible threats for the NBA championship. He brings in a surprisingly well-rounded game, with resurgent defense and vastly improved playmaking. At the same time, he wouldn’t actually take much away from the Pistons, who don’t currently rely on heavy three-point shooting.
It will take a boatload of young talent and draft capital to acquire Giannis, but it would be worth it for the Pistons. Compared to a target like Lauri Markkanen, whose team is also demanding a huge return for his services, Giannis is a much better option. The Pistons have set themselves up in a potential spot to sneak into the Giannis sweepstakes by resisting the urge to bite on a big trade until now.
There’s been Markkanen to Detroit rumors for years, but the Pistons have stayed put. The rumors have only intensified this season as the Pistons are proving they have a winning infrastructure. Adding Markkanen to this team with minimal losses would be great, but Utah’s asking price has been too high.
Concerns over asking price will definitely apply for Giannis too, but he’s proven time and again to be a transcendent player. He’s someone who can elevate an entire team, especially with a costar like Cade. Trading for Giannis would be a huge gamble, but it’s one worth taking for the Pistons if they get the opportunity.