After an impressive Summer League, Ron Holland II is getting attention, and some think he could be a trade asset for the Detroit Pistons.
Bleacher Report recently put together a list “Ranking the Top 10 NBA Trade Chips Right Now” and I was somewhat surprised to see Holland on the list, not because he’s not valuable but because I doubt the Pistons have any interest in trading him given his age, potential and what he’s already shown in the league logging impact minutes on a playoff team as a rookie.
B/R had Ron Holland ranked 4th overall and had this to say about the possibility of the Pistons trading the young wing:
“Give Holland a reliable outside shot, and everything could open up for the 6'8", athletic forward. Since the summer sample isn't big enough to assume he has one now, though, it's still worth wondering if the Pistons would consider letting him go to get Cade Cunningham a true co-star.”
This makes sense. If the Pistons make a big trade at some point, one or more of the young players are likely to be involved.
But we know the Pistons are high on Holland, and given that he’s the youngest player under team control the longest, it’s not likely him that would be moved in a trade if the Pistons could avoid it.
Detroit Pistons: Keeping the core together unless...
The Pistons have given all indications that they are going to give their young core a chance to prove they belong together for the long term.
If Detroit was trying to make a trade, Holland would obviously be one of the players teams would inquire about, but he may be one of the players they’d be least inclined to deal.
This is not only because of the promise he’s shown, his size and the importance of the wing position in the modern NBA, but because of his contract.
Holland is on his rookie deal and under contract through the 2027-28 season. Given that he already contributed as a teenager, having Holland on a cheap deal could end up being extremely valuable, especially three years from now, when he may have had a big breakout season and will still only be making $11 million.
Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren are both up for extensions this summer and are about to get much more expensive, so if the Pistons were to deal a young player, they might be more likely to be offered in a deal.
The Pistons aren’t looking to make such a deal at this point and are unlikely to include Holland unless it is a slam-dunk trade for the perfect star player.