With cap space, tradable contracts and young players, the Detroit Pistons are set up to make a big trade.
Last week, we looked at possible trade targets in the Eastern Conference and now it’s time to focus on the West, where a number of factors could result in star players on the trade market.
But trades for stars aren’t the only kind the Pistons are looking for, as Trajan Langdon wants to acquire as many assets and expiring contracts within the two-year time frame he has established.
We’ll be looking for stars that might become available, but also the chance to grab assets, expiring deals and draft picks in salary dumps so that the Pistons are prepared to go all in within the next two seasons.
Here’s one possibility from every team in the West.
Portland Trail Blazers: Anfernee Simons
The Trail Blazers are likely to fully embrace the tank this season at some point and will look to jettison a few of their older players. Simons doesn’t quite fit into that category, as he’s only 25, but with younger guards already on the roster and a desire to land Cooper Flagg, the Blazers could clean house.
They are already trying to trade Jerami Grant, though their asking price of two first-round picks is laughable. But if Simons hits the market, he’d be interesting. He’s a very good scorer, efficient and fits the Pistons timeline.
His defense isn’t great but he’s young, talented, has playoff experience and is just entering his prime.
San Antonio Spurs: Zach Collins
A backup center option who can spread the floor, Collins could be the odd man out depending on what direction the Spurs go this season. Do they envision him as a guy who can play with Wembanyama long term? That will be the only measure that matters to the Spurs.
Collins is overpaid for a backup, so the Spurs may not have the easiest time moving him. Of course, they are under no pressure to win right away, but if they got off to a hot start and wanted to add talent to make a playoff run, Collins could be a salary they have to dump and they have loads of draft picks. His contract fits the two-year window and I’d be happy to take him off the Spurs hands if they need money and want to kick in some draft assets.
Memphis Grizzlies: Brandon Clarke
My real target on the Grizzlies is Jaren Jackson Jr., but we’ll have to wait and see how this season pans out. If the Grizzlies are bad, would they consider trading JJJ to kickstart a soft rebuild around Ja Morant and Desmond Bane or would one of the guards be the one to go?
Assuming Memphis isn’t bad, they won’t have many minutes for Clarke who has three years remaining on his deal. He’s a possible salary dump candidate for Detroit or a guy they could include in a trade for one of the Pistons’ bigs.
If the Duren situation isn’t working, why not send him home for Clarke and a first-round pick or two?
Utah Jazz: Collin Sexton
The Jazz are prime candidates to blow up their roster at some point, as they aren’t good enough to compete in the crowded West and have some pieces other teams would want.
Sexton is an efficient scoring option, though the Pistons certainly don’t need any more tweener guards. I like his contract, which is team friendly and 0nly has two more seasons.
The Pistons could send them Sasser and some second-round picks, grab an upgrade and a guy who will be a valuable expiring contract.
Houston Rockets: Alperen Sengun
I talked about Sengun as a possibility in the past, as the Rockets have a ton of young players and will have to make decisions on them soon. It seems likely that one of Sengun or Jalen Green will have to go, in which case, the Pistons could pounce.
Sengun isn’t elite defensively by any means, but he’s a skilled big who would be a monster on the offensive end with Cade Cunningham. Flanked by two good defensive wings and a shooter and you have the makings of something in Detroit.
Golden State Warriors: Andrew Wiggins
Yawn.
I am so sick of seeing Wiggins in trade rumors, where he has been a staple for the last two seasons. He’s not very good anymore, and still has three years remaining on his deal, so if the Warriors want to clear cap space, they (or a third team) are going to have to pay to get rid of him.
This was more likely to happen when the Pistons had more cap space, and I don’t think Langdon wants to take on deals of this length, so there would have to be draft assets attached to make it worth Detroit’s time.
Sacramento Kings: Keon Ellis
I love Ellis as a 3-and-D wing off the bench and he played a key role for the Kings last season. But they are up against a salary crunch, have other young guards they will have to pay soon and so Ellis might end up the odd man out after they paid Malik Monk and drafted Devin Carter.
Ellis will be a value contract on his next deal and the Pistons should sniff around to see what it would take to get him.
Los Angeles Lakers: Gabe Vincent
Do I want Gabe Vincent? No. I do not.
But I do want draft assets for taking on his contract if the Lakers try to add talent at some point this season. Vincent is a serviceable backup with two years left on his deal, so if the Pistons can get some second-round picks for taking him on, why not?
I’ve spent most of my career talking trash about second-round picks, but their value has changed with the second apron in place in the new CBA, as teams are going to want to trade out of the first round to avoid guaranteed contracts, which will open opportunities for teams with copious second rounders.
New Orleans Pelicans: CJ McCollum
He’s a veteran who can still play and would be a great mentor for the young guards. He has two years left on his deal, the second at $30 million, which would still be flippable to a contender as an expiring.
If the Pels want to keep Brandon Ingram (not sure they do), it’s going to be tough with CJ still on the roster next season and some of their young players due extensions.
CJ has helped usher a winning culture into New Orleans, and even though they have not gotten where they want to be, he was a big part of that transition and could help do the same in Detroit.
Phoenix Suns: Jusuf Nurkic
How desperate are the Suns to win this season? Very.
How much do they care about future draft assets? Not much.
So how about we take Nurkic off their hands for their 2031 first-round pick and Beef Stew? Stewart is a better fit for them right now, they save some cap space, and get rid of a guy who stunk in the playoffs.
All for the low low cost of a first-round pick.
Dallas Mavericks: Maxi Kleber
It’s hard to imagine Kleber getting big minutes for Dallas next season and I’m sure they’d love to get his salary off the books.
He would fit perfectly into the Pistons’ current cap space and we’d be glad to take him as another backup big if they want to kick in some future second-round picks.
LA Clippers: Norman Powell
When the Clippers flame out this year, which I would bet heavily on, they might finally look to shed some parts.
Even if they don’t, if LA wants to improve at the deadline, they will have to rid themselves of a big contract to do it. He’s a professional scorer with two years left on his deal, so if the Clippers blow it up or need to cut payroll, he could be an option for Detroit.
I could see him coming to the Motor City after next season the same way that Tim Hardaway Jr. did, as a salary dump that the Pistons can get assets to take on.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
I’ve liked NAW going back to his days with New Orleans and he’s proven himself to be a valuable 3-and-D wing who played lockdown defense in the playoffs.
The ‘Wolves are up against huge salary challenges in the near future and NAW is on an expiring deal. It’s hard to see them being able to bring him back, so don’t be shocked if he is moved before the deadline so that they don’t lose him for nothing.
If I’m the Pistons, I look for all manner of ways to collect these types of players, guys who can defend, shoot and who are on value deals.
Denver Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr.
What are the Nuggets even doing at this point? They have a generational player and instead of going into the tax to max out his window, they let KCP go for nothing and didn’t add any talent.
Their draft pick is already hurt and the Nuggets have no depth, so they may have to move one of MPJ or Aaron Gordon to better field a roster around Jokic.
This would only work if the Pistons were sending the Nuggets several players who could fit into their rotation right away, as they aren’t going to blow it up while Jokic is still in his prime.
I’m not sure the Pistons have the ammo to do it, but this is where Tobias Harris’ contract could come in handy, as he can still play and his deal is cheaper and a year shorter.
Would a deal based around Harris, Stewart and parts be enough? It would improve their depth and financial flexibility, but I’m not sure the Pistons have the types of assets the Nuggets would want.
I’d be monitoring them closely all season.
OKC Thunder: Isaiah Joe
How in the world is OKC going to keep all of this guard talent and play them all? They already have MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins, Cason Wallace and Lu Dort under contract along with Joe.
One of them may be on the move this season, and Joe is a sharpshooter on a team-friendly deal that he just signed.
OKC may use those contracts to go star hunting eventually, as they are set up to get just about anyone.