The Detroit Pistons have to use every means necessary to improve this offseason, whether that happens in the draft, trades or free agency.
With cap space and some young players to trade, the Pistons could be line to deal for a star if one becomes available, so they’ll be waiting for an unhappy player or a team with financial issues.
One team to monitor is the New Orleans Pelicans, who have an abundance of wing players, are up against some tough financial decisions and may look to reconfigure their roster around Zion Williamson and their other young players.
Insider Zach Lowe thinks they have to and said as much in a recent podcast where he said “there is no world in which Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones aren’t starting on the wing” next season.
Lowe: There is no world where Trey Murphy and Herb Jones aren't starting on the wing next year.
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) April 22, 2024
Pelton: If we're ranking their players, Trey is no lower than third. He is in the top 3 and might not be third. pic.twitter.com/o8uyrftYrf
If the Pelicans were to follow this advice, which they might, it could put a potential trade target on the market for the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit Pistons trade rumors: Brandon Ingram
The unspoken part of this is which wing player either goes to the bench or gets traded if Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones are both starting.
The likely choice for a trade is Brandon Ingram, who has plenty of value as a wing with great size who will give you 20 points a night from either forward position.
The Pelicans may just bring them all back, as Ingram still has one more year on his contract, but he’ll be looking for an extension, which would potentially give New Orleans two guys on massive deals with an extension looming for Murphy III.
With Jonas Valanciunas coming off the books, the Pels will need a center, which could set up a deal with Jalen Duren and Ingram as the primary pieces of a trade.
If Ingram were to hit the market, there will be plenty of teams after his services, as Memphis, San Antonio, Golden State, Portland and OKC are all teams with assets to put in play for a former All-Star.
Ingram is no longer an All-Star, but he’s a solid player who would be a huge upgrade for the Pistons and a guy who could be a nice fit with Cade Cunningham if he goes back to launching more 3-point shots.