What the Pistons should and shouldn't prioritize at the trade deadline

Prioritize players who complement the core

Even if they don't make a big trade, the Detroit Pistons can improve the team at the deadline by prioritizing players that fit with their core.

That means looking for veteran role players who can shoot and defend or young two-way prospects with upside as 3-point shooters.

Detroit's biggest problem right now is that they have too many players who are only good on one end. Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks can shoot but not defend. Ausar Thompson can defend but can't shoot.

The Pistons could use a floor-stretching four and more wing depth, but the only measure should be "Do they fit with the Core Four?"

The Detroit Pistons shouldn't prioritize this season

This seems like a no-brainer to people who live in reality and know this season is already long over. 

I don't care if the Pistons set the record as the worst team of all time. I don't care if they finish at the bottom again, as they aren't going to make the playoffs or even be near them, so they shouldn't be making moves to try and salvage something from this season.

If that happens because they make another Mike Muscala-type trade, great, but they shouldn't be looking to add high-salary players just to try and avoid being the worst team of all time.

This goes back to Troy Weaver's job security, as a casual like Tom Gores may just look at the overall record when he decides whether to fire him at the end of the season. It will be much easier if the Pistons fail to win 10 games, but would winning 18 games be any different?

All moves should be made with the future, not the present, in mind. Detroit has paths to get the talent they need this offseason, but they can't muddy them at the trade deadline.