The Detroit Pistons are putting the finishing touches on one of the most monumental turnarounds in NBA history. With eight games remaining on the schedule, Detroit has already increased its win total by 28 games from 2023-24 to 2024-25, even surpassing their victory tally from the previous two seasons combined.
At the heart of that success has been All-Star point guard Cade Cunningham—a player for whom the Pistons are likely to be eager to find improved support this coming summer.
Cunningham has made the leap, earning All-Star honors and posting averages of 25.7 points, 9.1 assists, 6.1 rebounds, 1.0 steal, 0.7 blocks, and 2.1 three-point field goals made per game. He's No. 3 in the NBA in assists per contest, No. 9 in scoring, and ranks No. 2 among point guards in double-doubles.
As the Pistons legitimize their status as a postseason-caliber team, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed a trade target who they believe can elevate Detroit to a higher tier: Zion Williamson.
"Trading for Williamson could satisfy the front office on both fronts. He'd dazzle as Cunningham's co-star and, provided he stays upright, work his way into more of a 1A-1B partnership than a Batman-Robin type dynamic."
It's a captivating thought and an entirely valid idea on Buckley's behalf, but upon weighing the pros and cons, it's abundantly clear that Detroit needs to avoid trading for Williamson at all costs.
Pistons must ignore temptation to trade for Zion Williamson
Williamson is a remarkable talent, boasting a unique combination of power, agility, and skill. He boasts career averages of 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, shooting a mind-blowing 58.9 percent from the field despite standing at 6'6".
A generational athlete who has proven capable of playing at a truly dominant level, it's easy to see why one might be inclined to pair Williamson with Cunningham.
For as intriguing as the pairing may be, there's simply no way to avoid the reality of Williamson's injury history. He played 61 out of 72 games in 2020-21 and 70 out of 82 in 2023-24, but he's already missed at least 43 games in three of his five NBA seasons—2024-25 included.
It's entirely possible that Williamson's 2020-21 and 2023-24 campaigns will become the new norm for him in the future, but that's a risk the Pistons can't afford to take.
Detroit is closing in on making its first postseason appearance since 2018-19, as well as its second since 2008-09. After 16 years of below-average basketball, the Pistons are finally on to something with Cunningham leading a team that's balanced upside with veteran instinct.
Blowing that up for a player whose availability is equally as uncertain as his upside is compelling could derail what's become a rare form of momentum.
It's admittedly difficult to pass up on star-caliber talent, but the proposed trade would mean tying Cunningham's immediate future to Williamson's availability. After finally escaping the depths of despair, the Pistons simply can't justify potentially sabotaging their franchise's player's career.
Cunningham and Williamson could dominate opponents if health were to permit it, but if the Pistons are serious about building around their current franchise player, they'll steer clear of the Pelicans star.