The Detroit Pistons’ surprising record mixed with cap space, an open roster spot and tradable contracts has made some wonder if they might add impact talent at the trade deadline to make a real run at the playoffs.
The Pistons would currently lose their 2025 draft pick right now anyway, so why not max out this season?
I’m on board as long as it doesn’t mean selling out the future for short-term gains, as has been suggested in recent trade proposals.
The Pistons are going to be in a lot of rumors as the February trade deadline approaches, as they are the only team with cap space and teams may have to bribe them to get their hands on it.
Detroit will also be in rumors for star players, as they have exceeded expectations this season and have the ammo to make a trade.
Another team in ubiquitous rumors is the New Orleans Pelicans, who are one of the worst teams in the league this season after suffering more injuries to Zion Williamson (shocker!) and Brandon Ingram (shocker!).
Both players are reportedly available, with the Pelicans finally losing patience with the Zion/BI era after the two stars have repeatedly let them down.
We’ve seen the Pistons mentioned as a possibility for Ingram, which makes some sense, as well as Zion (which makes none) but remember that Trajan Langdon was the GM of both of these guys and knows exactly how tricky it is to build a roster around them.
My guess is Langdon wouldn’t want any part of Zion, no matter the cost and likely feels similar about Ingram, who is hurt now and nearly as much as Williamson.
But there is another Pelicans player who should be on the Pistons’ radar if they want to add talent in the wake of Jaden Ivey’s injury without sacrificing young players or taking on burdensome long-term obligations.
Detroit Pistons: Trading for CJ McCollum
I’m surprised I haven’t seen McCollum mentioned more often as a potential target for the Pistons, as he could slide right into Jaden Ivey’s spot in the starting five without missing a beat.
He’s a proven bucket-getter who would give Cade Cunningham a secondary scoring option who thrives off the ball and will get you 20 a game. McCollum can even play a little at the point when necessary, so would fill multiple needs for the Pistons, improve their shooting and give them another smart veteran leader.
McCollum is only signed for one season past this one at $30 million, so would be off the books the same time as Tobias Harris and would be a possible trade asset as an expiring contract.
I don’t see much downside with McCollum, who can fill in for Ivey while he is hurt and give the Pistons impact depth even when he comes back.
The question is what it would take to get McCollum.
Detroit could build a package around Tim Hardaway Jr.’s expiring, so the Pelicans wouldn’t have to take back much money, saving them substantial cap space. The Pistons also have extra second-round picks in 2027, 2028 and 2029 that they could throw into the pot. They could add as many as four second-round picks and still have picks in all of those seasons.
Would that be enough to get McCollum? My guess is no at this point, as he is still a productive player on a decent contract that doesn’t extend past next season, meaning other teams may want him.
But none of them can take on his contract without sending one of equal size back, which might give the Pistons an advantage. I doubt Detroit would come off a future first-round pick for a guy who is past his prime, but if they could do it for a slew of seconds, why not?
McCollum would be a fun upgrade for the next season and a half, at which point the Pistons will have a ton of money coming off the books.
It’s an option I would at least explore if I were Trajan Langdon, as McCollum is a solid player on a reasonable deal who doesn’t disrupt the culture, and in fact would add to it as one of the most respected veterans in the league.