Grade the trade: Pistons land star in proposed 3-team blockbuster
As the worst team in the league last season, the Detroit Pistons have nowhere to go but up.
How far they climb next season will rely on myriad factors including the development of the young players, how they mesh with the veteran additions and whether the Pistons choose to go for it at the trade deadline if they are in contention for a play-in spot.
Detroit’s hopeful ascent will also depend on whether Trajan Langdon makes a big trade in his first year as president of basketball operations.
Related Story. Team USA could be in trouble in the 2028 Olympics. Team USA could be in trouble in the 2028 Olympics. dark
The Detroit Pistons and the big trade
Detroit doesn’t have the trade assets that teams like OKC or New Orleans have, as they haven’t managed to stockpile extra draft picks while tanking for four straight seasons, which is almost impossible. Thanks, Troy Weaver!
They do have financial flexibility and young players to go along with several tradable contracts, so the cupboards aren’t bare either. Langdon has set the team up to have a clean cap sheet in two years to go along with whichever young players they keep.
Langdon has been patient so far, holding onto all of his young guys and holding back around $11 million in cap space, which they could use to sign another player or as ammo in a big trade.
That’s exactly what happens in the following trade proposal in which the Detroit Pistons add a piece that could help push them to the next level as a franchise.