The Pistons’ best shots at acquiring a big upgrade this season involve trading away veterans Tobias Harris and Caris LeVert, but both have tanked their odds of being dealt. The two are trending in opposite directions, but it’s making a blockbuster Pistons trade less likely either way. Harris is proving his value to the team while LeVert has decimated his trade value with his uninspiring play.
The Pistons will be reluctant to move Tobias Harris
Tobias Harris isn’t a superstar by any means, but he plays an important role for the Pistons. He’s a reliable bucket getter who can create his own shot or thrive off open looks generated by his teammates. He might not be the second star that Detroit eventually wants to pair with Cade Cunningham, but he does an admirable job filling in for the time being.
On Monday night, he proved his worth by coming up big in a 1-point win over the tough Celtics. Harris took advantage of mismatches in the post, even against an elite defender in Derrick White, to create points out of nothing. He was also supremely confident launching threes when he was open, which is important to keep defenses honest.
Beyond his on-court contributions, Harris is also known as a locker room leader. He has a wealth of NBA experience now in his 15th season. Coaches and teammates alike have credited Harris for his mentorship which has helped the growth of the Pistons' young stars.
Caris LeVert is tanking his trade value
On the other hand, Caris LeVert has been awful lately and it's hurting the Pistons' ability to flip him before the trade deadline. His shot selection has left Pistons fans scratching their heads all season long, but was excusable in earlier months when he was one hitting his threes. In his last few games, LeVert has been ice cold from three and his lack of value elsewhere has been exposed.
Despite the Pistons' continued success, LeVert's struggles are costing them. He hasn't lived up to expectations as a backup point guard due to his lack of playmaking. And even the shots that he has made often don't come in the flow of the offense. It's all led to LeVert having the lowest plus-minus of any regular rotation player on the Pistons.
Other teams will be very reluctant to trade for a guy who's struggling even on the best team in the East. It'll be tough to shop him around the league when potential suitors haven't seen great play from him all season.
As more and more time passes, it's becoming increasingly clear that the Pistons won't make a major move at the trade deadline. Although they may search for a marginal upgrade, the situations of their most likely trade bait proves that Detroit will likely stay pat with their core group heading into the playoffs.