We haven’t even played two games in the season, so it might seem a strange time to talk about possible trade targets for the Detroit Pistons.
But it’s never too early to think about who might be moved and whether any of the top targets would fit in Detroit.
The Pistons have stayed flexible, with an open roster spot and $10 million in cap space, but it’s yet to be determined if they will use that flexibility to add talent or to take another salary dump in exchange for draft assets.
Bleacher Report put together a power ranking of the top-10 trade targets in the NBA this season. Would any of them fit in Detroit?
#10: Anfernee Simons
If the Pistons wanted to take on a contract or two from the Trail Blazers they probably could, as Portland has at least two players they likely want to move this season, with Simons being one of them.
Simons is similar to the guards the Pistons have in some ways, as he is mostly an offensive player who lacks on the other end. Even though the Pistons could use some guard depth, it’s hard to see Simons fitting unless someone else is moved.
#9: Jerami Grant
After the Pistons signed Tobias Harris, the Jerami Grant trade rumors were finally put to bed permanently...I think.
Grant is a strange player in that he is very good, but probably overpaid a bit and is a different guy depending on what team he’s on. On a bad team, he can be a go-to scorer, but his best role is as a 3rd or 4th option who plays defense and shoots 3-point shots.
Given his salary and position, it’s hard to see Grant returning to Detroit, though I wouldn’t count out seeing those rumors again just for old time’s sake.
#8: Kyle Kuzma
You can say most of the things about Kuzma that you can say about Grant, in that he’s not really needed now that the Pistons have Harris.
Kuzma is more appealing than Grant because he’s on a team-friendly deal that goes down over the next two seasons after this one.
The Pistons are eventually going to need a four who defends and shoots long-range shots at a higher level and Kuzma isn’t really that guy.
#7: Jarrett Allen
On paper, this doesn’t look like a fit, as the Pistons already have three centers. But as we saw against Indiana, Jalen Duren is still a long way from where the Pistons need to be defensively.
A rim protector like Allen would be a better fit, especially now that the offense has more space and the coach isn’t trying to play two non-shooting bigs.
Trajan Langdon was also the guy who drafted Allen, so I wouldn’t completely rule this one out. If Duren doesn’t continue to improve defensively, the Pistons could move him before he is extension eligible and look for a better rim protector or someone who can spread the floor.
I hope Duren was paying attention to Myles Turner in game one, as he affected nearly every shot at the rim, which is what the Pistons need out of Duren. The young center is going to get time, and he has so many other talents that Detroit can’t just give up on him, but he has to be better defensively, it’s that simple.
Allen is one to keep an eye on, as the Cavs know they can’t run two bigs in the playoffs again and expect a different result.
#6: Jonathan Kuminga
Kuminga might be a fit in terms of age, position and skillset but if the Warriors move him, they will be looking for a star who can help them win right now.
Detroit doesn’t have one of those, so it’s hard to see them involved in any trade with the Warriors unless it’s as a third team, a possibility explored here.
#5: Trae Young
Would Atlanta move on from their star or will they keep chasing the 9th seed forever? I have a feeling they might be a little better than expected this season, but if not, trading Young is a possibility.
It’s not likely he lands in Detroit, as he doesn’t fit the profile of players Langdon covets and would much more likely be traded to a team ready to contend for the playoffs now.
#4: Darius Garland
There were rumblings that the Cavs would move Garland if they extended Donovan Mitchell but there is really no reason to, as the two can play together and give Cleveland some insurance if one of them gets hurt.
If the Cavs make a move, it seems more likely to come in the frontcourt, as they need to get more dynamic on the wing to create more space for their guards.
Hard to see Garland moved unless Cleveland flops this season, and even then, they’d break up their frontcourt first.
#3: Brandon Ingram
This is an interesting one.
Ingram shouldn’t be a max player, but has already expressed that he disagrees with that assessment. He showed in the first game that he can be the Pelicans’ leading scorer and playmaker with Zion Williamson out, dropping 33 points in the win, but would that play in Detroit, who already has one of those in Cade Cunningham?
If you told me that Ingram would adjust his game to shoot more 3’s in Detroit, and that he would accept something less than a full max contract, then I’m on board, but without both those assurances, Ingram is a risk.
He misses a lot of games and has a questionable fit with Cade unless he shoots more 3’s, which he did the last time he had a point guard.
A lineup of Cade, Ivey, BI, Harris and Duren is the start of something and a possible playoff team in the Eastern Conference.
But there are some hangups: The first is the cost, as the Pistons shouldn’t trade for Ingram unless it’s for very little and he agrees to extend. Otherwise, they can just wait for next summer and sign him in free agency without losing any assets.
This is one to watch, and given Langdon’s relationship with Ingram, he likely knows exactly how much he’d give up to get him and what he’s worth on the open market.
#2: Jimmy Butler
Not happening.
#1: Kevin Durant
Really not happening. It’s sad, but the Pistons are far from being the type of team that would/could or should trade for an aging superstar, as they are too far from a title and we know Durant is a frontrunner who would probably retire before coming to Detroit.
There are certainly other options who will be available as the season progresses, but when it comes to these players, pickings are slim for Detroit.