The Detroit Pistons investigated several big trades this offseason but didn’t pull the trigger, instead choosing to add role players as they have the previous two summers.
The Pistons showed a willingness to make a trade that wasn’t there in the past, though the results were similar.
Trajan Langdon has talked a lot about needing more information about the group he has before making a big deal, and there are still lingering questions that need answered.
I understand fans who are impatient, and I do think the Pistons are on the clock to make a move by the next trade deadline. They should be better positioned if they can answer these questions first.
What is Ron Holland II?
Holland is entering a crucial season, as he has to show he is more than a deep-bench defensive specialist who can’t get off the bench in the playoffs.
If Holland starts hitting 3-point shots, it immediately changes his trajectory, but if we don’t see some improvement there, it will be hard to justify paying him over $11 million a year. The Pistons don’t have long to make a call on his next option, so this one is getting time sensitive.
Holland doesn’t have to instantly morph into a star, but we need to see signs, otherwise he is likely a trade sweetener at the deadline.
Does the John Collins/Jalen Duren (pending) defensive pairing work?
Tobias Harris wasn’t an all-world defender, but he’s smart, always in the right spot and has underrated hands. Collins is a better shot blocker overall, but there are concerns about his defense in front of Jalen Duren, as Collins is not known for being a great team defender.
Because of his contract, Collins would be the perfect player to aggregate in a trade at the deadline, but the Pistons would have to be targeting a power forward to replace him, as they are still thin at the position.
If things are going well and Collins is providing spacing and holding his own on defense, they may decide he’s too valuable to move, so the first half of the season will be important for the Pistons front court.
Are Jalen Duren (pending) and/or Ausar Thompson stars?
Duren is going to eventually sign with the Pistons for around $40 million a year, so all of this posturing will have been for nothing.
But after that happens, he’ll need to back it up, and that means taking another leap, especially on the defensive end, where the Pistons will need more from him now that they don’t have Isaiah Stewart backing him up.
It would also be nice for Duren to add to his offensive bag so that he’s not so easy to defend in the playoffs. If he makes another leap, the Pistons may not need to go star hunting.
Same with Ausar Thompson, as a leap in scoring from him will change the long-term outlook for the Pistons. If he starts scoring 15-18 points per game and adds some playmaking on offense, it may change the way the Pistons approach the deadline.
Can Huerter, Jenkins and Okorie facilitate?
The Pistons didn’t add ball handling outside of rookie Ebuka Okorie, so they still have the same question since Cade Cunningham entered the league, which is who is going to support him?
Jenkins needs to be a consistent and solid backup, but it would also be nice if they could get some shot creation from Kevin Huerter and maybe Okorie down the line.
If the Pistons are still struggling in this area, expect them to make a trade similar to the one we saw proposed for Kyrie Irving recently.
The Pistons may not need a big move if these questions get answered in favorable ways, but if not, they will have to give in and make their move at the deadline.
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