The Detroit Pistons were the best team in the Eastern Conference last season. Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren led them to success, and their defense was elite under JB Bickerstaff. But they can’t get complacent. The rest of the East made major improvements, and though the Pistons made some moves, they still need to be ready to swing. And they are positioned to be big-time buyers at the trade deadline.
Cunningham is still in town, and by that measure, the Pistons will have a chance to be good. Really good. Having a player as talented as him gives your team a chance. But even if the Pistons do re-sign Duren in restricted free agency, they still didn’t make many major changes from last year. That’s dangerous. However, the Pistons quietly created a perfect opportunity with the way John Collins and Duncan Robinson's contracts are structured.
Once the season gets going, the Pistons will have to figure out what they need, where they stand, and who could become available. Because by the time the deadline rolls around, they should be positioned to be one of the biggest buyers.
Pistons are set up to be trade-deadline buyers
Right now, the Pistons shouldn’t get too antsy. They could have made some serious additions this summer, but they decided not to. They should stick to that philosophy for now, since it’s clearly the one they chose.
Rather than making any big-swing trades or free-agency signings, the Pistons kept things simple. They lost Tobias Harris, but they signed Collins. They traded for Isaiah Joe, Taurean Prince, and Gary Harris.
Nothing earth-shattering, but small moves that should improve the overall standing of the team. Yet, if they want to compete for a title, they need to be ready to think bigger.
Detroit’s roster is set up nicely for them to make a big addition. It was this summer, but they didn’t make any trades. Luckily for them, or perhaps by design, they are still set up that way.
Collins’ three-year contract is not guaranteed past this season, making him a prime trade candidate, as teams wouldn’t have to worry about taking on long-term money. Robinson’s contract isn’t guaranteed for next year either.
When you combine those two contracts, the Pistons can get up to around $32 million with them alone. That could help them land an elite contributor at the deadline.
The Pistons need to be ready to strike, because with the way their roster is set up, they have the means to be big-time buyers, should they decide that’s the route they need to take.
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