Is there a trade for the Pistons on December 15th?

Dec 11, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA;  Detroit Pistons head coach Monty Williams gives instructions
Dec 11, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Monty Williams gives instructions | Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

December 15 is an important day for NBA teams, as it is the first day that players who signed new free-agent contracts can be traded. We usually see some player movement around this time, and as a team that has lost 20 games in a row, the Pistons could be among them this season.

Detroit didn't sign any free agents so any and all of their players are eligible for trade.

The Pistons will almost undoubtedly make some trades around the deadline. as they have seven players on expiring deals and risk letting them walk for nothing if they aren't traded, though in most cases, nothing would be an upgrade.

Unfortunately, when you look at the players who will be eligible to be traded in a few days, there aren't many who would help the Pistons. Most of the best players aren't going anywhere, so the Pistons may have to wait until January when a new and more interesting group of players (including Jerami Grant) are eligible to be traded.

Will the Pistons make a trade on December 15th?

The answer to this question is probably not, as there just aren't any players that would be clear upgrades who are likely to be moved.

Here are the most interesting names for me:

-Oshae Brissett (Celtics)

-Lonnie Walker (Nets)

-Torrey Craig (Bulls)

-Max Strus (Cavs): Zero chance he's getting traded, but would have been a nice free agent last summer

-Justin Holiday (Nuggets)

-Aaron Holiday (Rockets)

-Nickeil Alexander-Walker (T'Wolves)

-EJ Liddell (Pelicans)

-Donte DiVincenzo (Knicks)

As you can see, this is hardly a who's who of NBA talent, and there is no one on this list that would be a radical upgrade from the players they have now. But the Pistons may have to start considering some addition by subtraction, as right now they have the stink of losing on them and need some fresh blood.

I might kick the tires on EJ Liddell, who is not playing for the Pelicans and is a power forward who can shoot a little.

It wouldn't hurt to bring in another power forward prospect, but other than that, there isn't a clear target for the Detroit Pistons.

So don't expect a big move on December 15th. January 15th could bring more action, and if not, we'll be waiting until the 2024 trade deadline to see this team mercifully dissembled.

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