The Detroit Pistons are one of the best teams in the league, but with how expensive the roster is about to get, they should seriously consider making some big-time moves now, while they still can afford to.
“They’re going to have to extend him [Jalen Duren],” Marc Stein said on the ALL NBA podcast. “Remember, he did not get a rookie-scale extension before the October 20 deadline. He’ll be a restricted free agent. You know Duren is going to get some real offers, the way he’s playing. They got to keep him. And they also have to re-sign Ausar Thompson in the future… I don’t think, at this point, there’s any discussion about the Pistons doing anything dramatic. Again, it is still early… They are the best story in the NBA right now.”
This year’s trade deadline could be crucial to the future of the Pistons’ success.
Why should Pistons make a trade?
Obviously, Cade Cunningham has turned himself into a legitimate MVP candidate. On top of that, Duren looks like he’ll be an All-Star this season. Those two have been leading the way for Detroit, which now sits atop the Eastern Conference.
Cunningham is already on an extremely expensive contract, and since the Pistons didn’t come to an agreement with Duren on a new deal before the start of the season, they’ll have to pay him this summer.
He’s going to want a ton of money, and since he’ll be a restricted free agent, other teams could significantly raise the price the Pistons have to pay (or they could risk losing him).
Plus, as Stein noted during his podcast appearance, Thompson is going to need a new contract in the next few seasons as well. He’s going to get a massive payday, too.
Because of that, the Pistons should consider making a move now rather than later, as their roster isn’t too expensive. Making a trade now would allow them to get some extra money on the books before they have to pay their own guys.
They have some means to do so, too. Caris LeVert, in particular, seems like he could be an ideal trade candidate, as he makes $14.1 million this season and isn’t a huge part of their core rotation.
Shipping him out in exchange for someone who fits their team better (or their future better) could be smart. Detroit could also consider trading Tobias Harris $26.6 million contract, as that could bring them a pretty solid return (at least in terms of contracts).
Regardless, making a move now, rather than later, could be smart for the Pistons.