With cap space, young players and tradable contracts, Trajan Langdon has set the Detroit Pistons up to make future trades.
Teams trade for various reasons, some looking for the final piece to push them over the top, others looking to shed salary or to add assets to a rebuild or a star to build around.
Within the next two seasons, the Pistons are set up to make a big trade, but in the meantime, we could see them make smaller moves, take on an onerous contract for assets or take a flyer on a project player or one on a team-friendly deal.
The Pistons have set a two-year timeline to gather as many assets and future expiring contracts as possible, so some of these players are ones they would flip as expiring deals.
Here is one possible trade target on every team in the Eastern Conference. Some of these are far more realistic than others (at least for now) but there are a few big names the Pistons could pursue if things break the right way.
Washington Wizards: Corey Kispert
Teams can always use shooting and the awful Wizards are likely tanking next season, so they don’t really need Kispert as they lean into a youth movement.
He’s on an expiring contract that pays him just $5 million next season, so the Wiz may look to flip him.
Kispert is only 25 and is a career 39 percent shooter from long range. He’ll likely be on a value deal and it might be worth giving up a future second to get a value shooter, as the Pistons did with Simone Fontecchio.
Guys like Kispert are getting shut out of the big contracts in free agency (look what Gary Trent Jr. and Fontecchio just signed for), so the Pistons could get a very good shooter for practically nothing.
Charlotte Hornets: Nick Richards
Another guy on a value deal, Richards is the kind of rim protector the Pistons could use coming off their bench.
The Hornets are probably thinking the same thing, as Richards is on a team-friendly deal that pays him just $5 million this season and isn’t fully guaranteed the next. That’s 3rd center money for a guy who might be more.
Toronto Raptors: Kelly Olynyk
I always liked Olynyk in Detroit and he’d offer something that the other Pistons’ bigs don’t, which is floor spacing and offensive creativity.
He’s not a terrible defender either, but the Raptors don’t have much center depth and it’s unclear whether they will be competitive next season or not.
If not, they may look to jettison Olynyk’s contract. You wouldn’t want to give up real assets for Olynyk but his two-year deal fits the timeline.
Brooklyn Nets: Nic Claxton
The Nets basically signed Claxton just to trade him, and the Pistons were reportedly interested in him as a free agent.
That may not be the case now that he is on a big deal, but given his age, it’s not a terrible contract and he’s the kind of rim protector they lack.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see Claxton unloaded after December 15th, so he’s a player to watch.
Atlanta Hawks: De’Andre Hunter
If the Hawks end up being bad this season, which is a distinct possibility, Hunter could be on the move.
He has three years remaining on his deal, but he’s a productive wing player who can knock down shots and defend.
The Pistons don’t really need him and his salary does not fit the timeline, but if the Hawks want to dump his money, Detroit may be able to garner an asset for taking it on.
Chicago Bulls: Lonzo Ball
If I were Langdon, I’d be on the phone right now seeing what the Bulls would give me to take on the final year of Ball’s deal.
The answer is probably not much, as he only has one year left and the Bulls probably think they are going to chase the playoffs.
Chicago has been reluctant to give up assets to get off contracts, but Ball is an interesting case. He hasn’t played in 2.5 years, so whoever he signs with next is going to get him on a bargain unless he shows he is healthy and even then he'll likely be a on lowball, non-guaranteed deal. I'd take Ball on a minimum contract all day, even with his injury history.
Might be worth a flyer, as he is a very good defender, 3-point shooter and connector who might be on a sweetheart deal. Of course, there is a reason for that, which is that he never plays, but Ball claims he is healthy and will be ready for the season. We’ll see.
Miami Heat: Tyler Herro
This is a make-or-break year for the current core of the Miami Heat, which appears to have hit its ceiling.
They did little to improve this offseason and if they are hovering around the 8-10 seed again, might start selling off some parts.
Herro has his flaws but he’s a bucket and a floor spreader who is a nice fit with Cade Cunningham even though he’s not a very good defender.
Given his age and credentials, the Pistons could make a play for him if the Heat aren’t good next season and want to change things up.
Philadelphia 76ers: Eric Gordon
This would be a pure salary dump move if the 76ers aren’t performing to standard next season.
Gordon’s contract fits the timeline and given how little he’s making, he’s a player who could be flipped as an expiring deal.
A lot would have to go wrong for Philly for this to happen.
Indiana Pacers: Jarace Walker
Are there going to be enough developmental minutes for Jarace Walker with both Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin on board and the Pacers trying to win now?
If not, the Pistons should be all over it, as he’s a big, tough forward who can defend all over and shoot the 3-ball. He’s very young and may not fit Indiana’s current timeline, so who knows what will happen before the trade deadline if he isn’t getting many minutes.
Orlando Magic: Jalen Suggs
This is a longshot at best, as Suggs is the heart of the Magic and very good on both ends. That said, they haven’t extended him yet and will have some tough financial decisions to make.
Do they want to go all in on the trio of Suggs, Banchero and Wagner? Will Suggs be the odd man out?
If the Magic don’t want to give him a max or near max deal, the Pistons could potentially swoop in. An All-Defensive player who can shoot 3’s is the ideal fit with Cade Cunningham.
This one is a pipe dream but until that contract is signed, nothing is certain.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Jarrett Allen
Will the Cavs continue to run their two-big experiment or will they eventually move Evan Mobley to center?
Allen is the kind of rim protector the Pistons need and has connections to Trajan Langdon, the guy who drafted him in Brooklyn.
Milwaukee Bucks: Pat Connaughton
Salary dump alert! I’m kind of surprised the Bucks haven’t tried to send Connaughton into the Pistons’ cap space already. He has two years left at just under $10 million per season and the second year is a player option that he is definitely doing to exercise.
Could the Pistons get a second-round pick or two for taking him on? This is the type of deal I expect Langdon to eventually make this season with the Pistons’ remaining cap space.
New York Knicks: Julius Randle
Randle is still very good but the Knicks were fine without him last year and may feel they don’t need him after adding both OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.
They also have a very expensive roster and Randle now seems like a luxury. He’s not a sunk cost, as he’s an All-Star when healthy, but given his contract and recent injury history, it’s hard to see a team giving up a lot to get him.
This has three-team trade written all over it, as the Pistons could take on his salary in exchange for an asset, allowing the Knicks to add talent elsewhere.
His contract fits the timeline and would be a valuable one as an expiring.
Boston Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis
Is Porzingis just an expensive luxury for the Celtics? They just won a title handily with him only playing in seven games in the playoffs.
The Celtics are well into the second apron and if they want to shed payroll to be more flexible, Porzingis would be the obvious choice to trade.
Boston doesn’t seem to care and they have all of their guys locked up, so even with one of the most expensive rosters in the league, they are set up, but if they do end up moving someone, Porzingis is the most likely.