Likely trade candidates offer prime opportunities for the Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are rolling to the first seed in the Eastern Conference, but regardless of what happens this season, they will be looking for upgrades in the summer and should have plenty of opportunities. 

Bleacher Report put together a list of the player most likely to be traded from every team, and there are names that could interest the Pistons depending on how big a swing they want to take. 

Sam Hauser 

The Celtics will be up against the aprons again and may look to jettison a contract that would be easy to move. Hauser isn’t the most dynamic player, but he does one thing very well, which is shoot the 3-ball, which happens to be a skill the Pistons need. 

Hauser has shot over 41 percent from long range in his career, and his $10 million contract would be easy for the Pistons to absorb if the Celtics are just looking to cut money. This wouldn’t be a splashy move, but the Pistons may not be looking for one if they make a deep playoff run. 

Michael Porter Jr. 

I wish the Nets would just trade this guy already so I can stop hearing about him. MPJ will be on an expiring contract, so the Pistons probably wouldn’t have to give up much to get him, though matching salaries wouldn't be easy. 

My guess is that the Pistons will look elsewhere. Next! 

Kyrie Irving 

Hmmmm. 

Dallas is clearly rebuilding around Cooper Flagg and may not see Irving on that timeline. He’s coming off a serious injury that cost him his season, so I can’t imagine Kyrie will garner a king’s ransom in a trade. 

On paper, Irving is exactly what the Pistons need, as he’s a creator who can play off the ball as well, and he’s an excellent 3-point shooter. He also has championship chops and has been in as many big games as just about anyone in the league. 

He had success with another ball dominant guard (Luka) so he would fit right in with the Pistons. 

The issues with Irving are obvious; he’s 34 years old and just off an injury and has two expensive years left on his deal. He may also demand an extension to stay around, so would potentially come with long-term risk. 

I wouldn’t rule Irving out, but the money would be tough to match, and he comes with risk the Pistons have been reluctant to take on when it comes to health. 

Obi Toppin 

I wrote about him already as a potential stop gap replacement for Tobias Harris, as his deal is cheap enough that the Pistons could potentially have them both if Harris wants to stay on a reduced salary. 

Toppin is a versatile defender and has played in some big games. He’s not a bad shooter, but he’s only played 17 games this season. He’s been good of late and very efficient from 2-point range in that small sample, hitting 75 percent of his shots from inside the arc. 

He’s not a flashy option, but the Pistons could likely have him for nothing and potentially platoon him with someone else. 

Andrew Wiggins 

The Heat will likely be active this summer and may have to move Wiggins to accommodate bigger stars. 

The 31-year-old is still playing at a high level, averaging 15 a game and doing it efficiently, shooting 47.5 percent from the floor and over 40 percent from 3-point range. 

Wiggins may have never developed into the superstar people thought he’d be, but he’s a very good role player. He will be on the final year of his deal ($30 million) if he takes his player option, so he’s another guy who would be nice, but the money might be hard to match. 

The Heat will also be looking to include him in a deal for star if they make one, so it’s not likely the Pistons are involved unless it’s as a third team. 

One of the guards from the Magic 

If the Magic flame out, they may be busy this summer, as their roster is about to get very expensive, and they aren’t very good. 

Will that make Anthony Black or Jalen Suggs available? If so, count me as officially interested, as either one would be nice fit next to Cade Cunningham and make the Pistons defense even better. 

Alex Caruso 

The Thunder have too many good players, a rough problem to have, but they are set to be deep into the second apron, unfamiliar territory for a small market team.  

Caruso seems the most likely to be moved, and he’s still an impactful player even though he’s not been nearly as good this season offensively.  

His best days do seem behind him, and that’s a big contract to absorb ($60+ million for three seasons) for a guy on the downslide. If OKC wants to swap him for Caris LeVert and save some money, sure. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo 

Even if the Pistons were willing to give up all it would take to get Giannis, they won’t have the necessary contracts to match his salary without giving up half their team. 

Even if they could somehow pull it off, they’d only get one guaranteed year of Giannis before he was eligible for free agency. 

In other words, it’s not happening.