The Detroit Pistons have nailed their mix of top-end talent. They have found their franchise centerpiece. Cade Cunningham is one of the best point guards in the NBA, and he’s playing like it. Having him makes life simple for the Pistons: Figure out a way to surround him with enough talent to win. And in order to do that, the Pistons should not be afraid to trade draft capital.
Giving up picks is always a scary thing to do, and in today’s NBA, it’s as scary as ever. The new lottery odds make tanking effectively useless, so teams stuck in the middle actually have a chance at landing a top pick. And hitting on cheap talent is the best way to build a sure-fire long-term winner. But trading picks is also the best way to improve in the short-term.
And right now, with Cunningham already in place and the Pistons sitting as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, the short-term is exactly what they need to be worried about.
Pistons shouldn't be afraid to trade draft picks
Detroit was the No. 1 seed in the East last season. But the rest of the conference has significantly improved this summer, so if the Pistons want to stay ahead of the pack, they cannot rest on their laurels.
Kawhi Leonard got traded to the Toronto Raptors (if the deal ever goes through). Jaylen Brown and LeBron James joined the Philadelphia 76ers. The Cleveland Cavaliers got Peyton Watson, the Miami Heat got Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the New York Knicks are the reigning champions.
Nobody around the NBA is waiting. Everyone wants to go for it right now. The ultimate goal is a championship, the field seems to be wide open, and the Pistons cannot be left behind.
They need to do everything possible to help Cunningham. Trading picks may be a tough pill to swallow, but if the Pistons want to meaningfully improve in the next couple of seasons, they need to make a deal.
Cunningham is a top-15 player in the league, perhaps even top 10. Jalen Duren is an All-Star, but he’s dealing with contract issues. Ausar Thompson will need a new contract next summer.
Unfortunately, the Pistons just don’t have enough top-end talent right now next to Cunningham. Duren and Thompson are great players, but on the offensive end, in particular, they are lacking a bit.
That’s where the Pistons need to find him help. And in order to do that, they should not be afraid to trade draft picks.
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