The Detroit Pistons' decision to move on from fan favorite Isaiah Stewart is a trade that fans will deem worth the cost if it lands them help this offseason for Cade Cunningham, but they can't sign Norman Powell.
Considering the straight salary dump of Beef Stew, it's clear that Detroit has something up their sleeve, but with the Pistons being linked to nearly every available option that offers offensive upside, it's hard to truly find out which player the team is locked in on.
Trey Murphy III is the dream, and Tyler Herro is a solid consolation prize based on the price. Part of the reason these two targets stand out is their age and the possibility that they could grow alongside Cunningham and the rest of Detroit's young core.
There's also the chance that the Pistons can pry Kyrie Irving out of Dallas, even with the Mavericks' rebuffing every interested team that calls about the All-Star guard.
Fans could probably be talked into all of the above options, but there's a realistic nightmare scenario that offloading Stewart's $15 million contract officially makes a possibility.
Pistons could realistically consider signing Norman Powell now
Norman Powell's future with the Miami Heat is nearing an end after the team landed Giannis Antetokounmpo. The UCLA product is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, one that landed him as an All-Star reserve after averaging 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists on 47% shooting from field goal range and 38% from three.
Obviously, the offensive upside of Powell immediately would fill a need for the Pistons, but under no circumstance should he be Detroit's top option.
At 33, there's little to no real upside in signing Powell, outside of the fact that he'd offer an offensive boost almost immediately.
Powell doesn't fit the timeline of the team; he'd be a short-sided solution, and his shortcomings as a willing playmaker would absolutely hinder the style of play that J.B. Bickerstaff's squad likes to play with.
Both Murphy III and Herro share the same timeline as the rest of the core, and they both offer at least a sense of playmaking that the Pistons' postseason struggles proved they needed outside of Cade Cunningham.
Miami is reportedly looking to complete a sign-and-trade for Powell, but even then, inking the veteran guard to a steep contract just doesn't make sense for the Pistons.
There are many better options for Detroit to consider, and pivoting to Powell should be the last-case scenario.
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