Now that the Detroit Pistons are competing for the playoffs, it’s natural to think about the next step, which is competing for titles.
How the Pistons will get there is a subject of fierce debate, as some think they can do it without a major addition, relying on their young core to keep getting better, while others believe they should use some of their assets to get a bonafied second star to put next to Cade Cunningham.
I tend to agree with the first group, as the Pistons are good now with a young, relatively inexperienced team that should continue to improve and develop. They have financial flexibility and no bad contracts, so there is plenty of time to make a move in the future if the right one presents itself.
This is especially true when it comes to the stars that are being named. We’ve heard guys like Ja Morant, who is basically just Jaden Ivey at twice the cost.
We’ve heard about Devin Booker, a player who is unlikely to be traded anyway, but who wouldn’t represent enough of an upgrade to justify the cost of acquiring him, which would have to include at least three players and likely as many picks.
And if I have to explain to you why the Pistons won’t pursue Zion Williamson, then you haven’t been paying attention.
There is one far more unlikely superstar candidate to be traded this offseason, and to me, he’s the only one I’d empty the clip to get if I were running the Pistons, as he is not only a superstar but would fill the Pistons’ biggest long-term need.
Detroit Pistons rumors: Trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Ok, I know what you are thinking, “dream on, fool,” and you wouldn’t be wrong to think that. It’s a long shot that Giannis gets traded regardless of what happens to the Bucks in the playoffs, but with Damian Lillard facing a possible long-term injury and the Bucks having no youth to speak of, trading Giannis might be the only way to reboot in Milwaukee.
With no financial flexibility or picks to use, how exactly is this Bucks team going to improve? They are currently the 6th seed in the East and I don’t think anyone sees them as a contender, especially if Damian Lillard has to miss extended time.
Again, that doesn’t mean they will trade Giannis, but there is at least one team who thinks they might.
The Brooklyn Nets have reportedly made landing Giannis their Plan A according to the New York Post, which means there is at least some amount of rumbling about Giannis potentially being available.
If he were put on the trade block, there would be plenty of interested teams, but few who have the young players, picks and financial flexibility to pull it off.
It really depends on the direction the Bucks wanted to go, as they could try to swap Giannis for an established player and picks or go the youth route, in which case, the Pistons would be in with a chance.
Detroit could offer up Tobias Harris’ expiring contract, Jaden Ivey, Ron Holland II, three first-round picks (as long as the trade came after the draft) and a couple of swaps, which is a haul, though there is no guarantee there wouldn’t be better offers, as teams like OKC, Houston and Brookyln all have extra picks and just as many good young players.
It's far more likely the Bucks would want three of the Pistons young players, which would be a tough pill to swallow, even for Giannis.
In short, this is the longest of long shots for the Pistons and the chances of it happening are barely on the plus side of zero, but Giannis is one of the only players they’d even consider in a trade like this, as he fills their biggest need and is a confirmed superstar and champion who would immediately make the Pistons one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.