The NBA trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and the Detroit Pistons don't have a lot of reason to explore any big trades. They currently hold the second-best record in the league, and they're far and away the best team in the Eastern Conference. Detroit isn't looking to make a splash, but they can actually make their biggest deadline addition without even adding a player: by trading away Caris LeVert.
This is a classic case of addition by subtraction. LeVert has been out of the Pistons' lineup for the last 10 days, and the team has looked more fluid without him. Not a lot of fans were big supporters of Caris from the start, but this recent stretch has served to underscore how this team doesn't have a huge need for him to stick around.
Additionally, it should be stated that this has nothing to do with LeVert as a person, just as a basketball player. He has been nothing but professional and easygoing off the court. It's just a matter of the team seeming to have more effective synergy with him out of the lineup, and making a move to trade him could be a positive even if Detroit doesn't get anything considerable in return.
The Pistons should seek to trade Caris LeVert
Considering these types of moves is how smart, forward-thinking front offices operate. The Pistons are perfectly positioned to keep leveling up and dominating the Eastern Conference. To make some desperation trade for a really big name would only undermine the process they've been building all season. Instead, taking a look around to see who's no longer needed and trimming the fat is a much smarter alternative.
The old saying "a chain is only as strong as its weakest link" applies here. LeVert has not been adding much value when he's been on the court, and he could certainly be considered as the weakest link among this group. His lack of scoring efficiency doesn't help his case whatsoever, and no one would blame Detroit for moving on.
Making this move would be all about this team understanding who it truly is now. The Pistons have been able to play this well all season because they've very clearly identified how they want to play and have stuck to their vision. If moving off Caris LeVert helps Detroit keep roles among bench players defined and optimizes the locker room's chemistry, then it's precisely what should be done.