3 Detroit Pistons whose roles aren't safe after the trade deadline

Feb 10, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA;  Detroit Pistons center Mike Muscala (41)
Feb 10, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Detroit Pistons center Mike Muscala (41) / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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The Detroit Pistons didn't hold back in the weeks, days and hours leading up to the NBA trade deadline, as they swapped out more than half of their roster in an effort to shed the stink of a miserable season.

We've only had one game so far, but the results were encouraging, even in a loss. Simone Fontecchio looked like a nice fit, the Pistons' defense was more active and they were quicker in the half-court and in transition.

With Quentin Grimes joining the team soon, we'll get a good look at what the Core Four looks like with a couple of 3-and-D wings around them, something we've been waiting for all season.

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In the long term, most of the acquisitions the Pistons made aren't going to matter, as they won't be on the team next season, but in the short term, we could see some players changing roles as Detroit tries to figure out what they have and which players to invest in moving forward.

3 Detroit Pistons whose roles aren't safe after the trade deadline

Mike Muscala

Muscala wasn't playing big minutes anyway, but he has been an impact addition to the Pistons, as their offense took off after the trade to bring him in.

He still started against the Clippers but only played 10 minutes, which might be a theme for the rest of the season.

The Pistons inexplicably kept James Wiseman at the trade deadline, choosing to make their cuts elsewhere by waiving Joe Harris, Danilo Gallinari and Killian Hayes.

Since the season is lost anyway, Monty Williams might be under a directive to play Wiseman more to see if the Pistons might want to re-sign him as their third center in the offseason. Troy Weaver invested a lot in Wiseman, trading Saddiq Bey to get him, so will likely want to see him get some minutes in a season that has shifted to the future.

Muscala is still going to play, but I would guess he loses a few of his minutes to Wiseman and could see a lesser role when Isaiah Stewart returns.


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