Free agents, unhappy stars and tax teams: Is there a mystery star for the Pistons?
Stars on a team that decides to rebuild
-Brooklyn Nets
-Atlanta Hawks
-Chicago Bulls
-Portland Trail Blazers
-Memphis Grizzlies
-Utah Jazz
There are at least six teams who may decide to rebuild and have players the Pistons could use. With some combination of their first-round pick and a young player or two, the Pistons' best bet to land a star is likely to trade for one.
The two at the top of the list would be Mikal Bridges of the Nets and Lauri Markkanen of the Jazz. These two are longshots not only because of the cost, but because these are the teams least likely to blow it up, and if they do, these are the players they will keep as the centerpiece.
But if I were Troy Weaver I'd be on the phone to see if a combination of Jaden Ivey, Isaiah Stewart and/or Jalen Duren and draft picks gets me in the door for Markkanen or Bridges. It's doubtful but worth investigating.
The Atlanta Hawks will almost certainly unload one of Trae Young or Dejonte Murray, but neither of them should interest the Pistons.
The Bulls have a few players that could hit the market, but Chicago seems content to chase the 8th seed forever. Will they bring back DeRozan? Trade Zach LaVine? Alex Caruso? DeRozan will likely want to go to a contender, and the Pistons should stay far away from LaVine. Caruso would be a great addition but at what cost and will they even make him available?
The Trail Blazers have Jerami Grant and Malcolm Brogdon to jumpstart a rebuild if they want. If the Pistons wanted to eat Grant's contract they could probably get him for cheaper than some of these other guys, but that's a big IF, as he is owed a lot of money and is the type of fringe star who isn't going to move the needle much unless there are other additions.
Would Memphis make Jaren Jackson Jr. or Desmond Bane available if they feel they are not going the right way? Highly unlikely.
The potential rebuild option isn't laden with players that are realistic options for the Pistons, so they may have to hope for teams that don't want to blow up their roster but need to shed salary.