It's almost October, which means we're just weeks away from the start of the NBA regular season, which means we're just a few months away from trade rumors heating up, which means we're just about five months away from the NBA trade deadline.
The Detroit Pistons head into 2025-26 with loads of excitement — and more than one important contractual decision to make before next summer. Tobias Harris is on an expiring deal. Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren will both be restricted free agents and will both ask for long-term security in their next deals.
Could the Pistons package Harris with picks, Harris with one of the young guys, or perhaps one of the young guys and picks to go get an All-Star at the trade deadline? Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports floated this idea in a recent podcast, and it got me thinking.
I don't think it's out of the question. Now, I know Pistons fans don't actually want to deal either Duren or Ivey. And they shouldn't want that! But extending two young (and mostly unproven) prospects after just extending Cade Cunningham and knowing that Ausar Thompson is going to demand a rookie max not too long from now... is a bit of a scary proposition.
Which star will hit the trade block at the deadline?
With the league's strict new payroll rules, a willingness to maintain flexibility is how teams thrive. In other words, parting with prospects when their value is at its highest is a smart approach to building a good team (regardless of whether that's good for the NBA product at large, which it's not).
Of course, the idea of "trading for a star" is enticing, but it also requires a star actually being available. Prying Derrick White from the Celtics during their reset year would be a dream, but I doubt the C's bite on anything... although a Jaden Ivey, Caris Levert and picks package could start to move the needle.
If a bona fide star doesn't become available, then packaging Harris and a pick to a tanking team for a borderline star could be the best route. Anyone on the Nets, Hornets, Wizards, or Jazz pique your interest? Because the Pistons might have their choice of those teams when trade talks heat up this season, especially if there's a future first-rounder attached to Harris' expiring deal.