While still just 48, Detroit Pistons' president Trajan Langdon has had a good amount of experience in NBA front offices. After his playing career was over, he spent time with the San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn Nets, and the New Orleans Pelicans.
As he gets started here in Detroit, however, who could be some of his first targets? It’s no secret that front office members have ties to certain players, usually ones that they drafted or scouted heavily. So could any players with ties to Trajan Langdon be in play for Detroit to acquire?
Players with ties to Trajan Langdon the Detroit Pistons could target
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is able to claim that he has caught the eye of Trajan not once, but twice in his young career. NAW was originally scouted by the Brooklyn Nets when Langdon was assistant GM, and, while Trajan had officially moved on once the draft took place, he still played a part in the scouting. Just a few weeks following the draft, Alexander-Walker was traded to the Hawks, and then immediately to the Pelicans to be back with Langdon.
Clearly Trajan sees something he likes about Nickeil. Detroit could use the 6-foot-5 wing after being a major difference maker for the Timberwolves in these playoffs. The 25 year old is averaging 8 points and almost 40 percent from three this year.
NAW still has one year left on his deal, but he's a name to watch for the future as a possible trade target or free agent.
Dejounte Murray
Dejounte Murray was drafted by San Antonio, where Trajan was a scout, back in 2016, and Detroit has already been linked to the 27 year old former all-star. Langdon could see Murray as not a perfect fit next to Cade, but too good of a weapon to pass up on. He liked what he saw enough for the Spurs to draft Dejounte out of college, maybe that’s enough to make a move with the Hawks.
Again, wouldn’t be a perfect fit but his scoring and defense is definitely there. As an icing on the cake, it was also rumored that Langdon and the Pelicans tried to acquire Murray this past offseason.
Jonas Valanciunas
Unlike the previous two players, Jonas was not drafted in any way by Langdon. He only recently caught the eye of Detroit’s new POBO. As a part of a 3-team trade, Jonas was acquired by Langdon and the Pelicans back in 2021, and then signed a contract extension that expires this upcoming offseason.
While Valanciunas is on the older side, having just turned 32, his size and big man abilities would be great in Detroit. He is a decent defender who can rebound, get buckets in the paint and shoot some from 3-pointp range. If Detroit whiffs on some other big man targets such as Nic Claxton (more on him in a minute) or Isaiah Hartenstein, Jonas could make sense.
Nic Claxton
We just talked about a potential big man that Trajan Langdon has ties to, but we also briefly mentioned a younger, more buzz worthy center that could be an option for Detroit. Once again in the same boat as Murray and Alexander-Walker, Claxton was eventually drafted by Brooklyn after Langdon had gone, but he still played a role in scouting the big man. Langdon and the Nets teams struck gold in the second round with Claxton, and the now free agent will be looking for a big pay day.
The 6 -foot-11 25 year old will likely command a large raise after averaging 12 points, 10 rebounds 2 assists and 3 stocks per game. Detroit would have to shell out for him, but if Langdon could get Nic in the Motor City it would be a huge win.
Brandon Ingram
Brandon Ingram is easily the name brought up most often when referring to players Detroit could acquire this offseason. He also obviously has a connection to Trajan Langdon as Langdon’s first move with the Pelicans was to ship out Anthony Davis for a treasure trove that included BI. Ingram had a tough ending to the year, but has proven to be a star in this league. The reason he is available is because the Pelicans have made the public decision that they will be moving forward with the core of Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, and Zion Williamson, leaving Ingram on the outside looking in.
You could look at this with the lens that Langdon was a part of this decision meaning he doesn’t see value with Ingram any longer, or that Langdon made a move to acquire him once, he very likely could do it again. Regardless, I personally think that BI would play off a guy like Cade better than most other fans believe and would be thrilled if Langdon and Ingram were united once again.
Jarrett Allen
The final player that has connections to Trajan Langdon that Detroit could target is another big man out of Brooklyn. And Allen was actually drafted under Trajan’s leadership as assistant GM with the Nets. Similar to Nic Claxton, Allen was a later first round pick and has done a great job in Cleveland since being dealt to the Cavs. This season, he averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.7 stocks per game.
There are rumors coming out of Cleveland that they want to move Allen in a trade to focus on Evan Mobley, so Trajan might want to inquire about his former draft pick. Based off his defense and where this team is at in their rebuild, Allen might be a better fit than Duren is at the moment.