Like it or not, trade rumors dominate the NBA media landscape, and the Detroit Pistons are going to be in plenty of them next season.
They are a young and talented team many feel are on the verge of being very good, so they are in wait-and-see mode with their roster right now, but might soon be in a position to make a big move.
Star players change teams all the time in the NBA now and we could see some big names on the trade market depending on what happens next season. Here are the ones that will dominate the headlines and the chances of them happening for the Pistons.
Jaden Ivey and Tobias Harris will be packaged for a star: 25%
If the Pistons make a trade for a star player, Tobias Harris’ expiring contract will almost certainly be involved, as they’d need it to match salaries.
Of the young players they have, Jaden Ivey seems the most likely to be traded given his contract status and long-term fit with the roster.
We are going to hear plenty about these two being packaged as part of a trade. You have been warned.
I’d still rank the odds of it happening on the low side, as I think the Pistons are comfortable letting Ivey play out next season and evaluating the contract situation after that, which may be the smart move after what we’ve just seen with Cam Thomas.
Devin Booker: 3%
Let’s get this one out of the way, as it never seems to die, largely because of Booker’s connections to Michigan. The Suns just committed to Booker with a max extension, so it’s hard to see any team wanting to trade for that contract, including the Pistons.
It will also be challenging for the Pistons to trade for any guard if they have to send both Tobias Harris and Ron Holland in the deal, which they might if trading for Booker.
I can’t rule it out completely, but I can’t see it.
Jaylen Brown: 1%
Hard to see Boston trading Brown unless something goes very wrong. I actually think Brown will blow up next season and the Celtics will be better than people expect even without Tatum.
He makes little sense for the Pistons anyway, who hope they have their own Jaylen Brown of the future in Ron Holland.
Lauri Markkanen: 20%
I’m giving this one a bit more of a chance just because it makes more sense roster-wise for the Pistons, who could send out Harris and Ivey as part of the deal.
The problem is that Utah just drafted two guards and may have no interest in Ivey, but trading Harris and Holland would hurt less if there was a power forward coming back.
This one may pick up steam if Markkanen plays well in the first few months, but that would cause a bidding war the Pistons might not be able to win. This one could have legs, we’ll see.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 1%
The only way Giannis is getting traded is if the Bucks stink next season and he demands out, as Milwaukee has made it clear they will do whatever it takes to keep him.
Giannis is due for a Booker-like extension next summer, so that would be a huge consideration for any team trading for him, though less of one, as Giannis is still a perennial MVP candidate.
There would be teams lined up to trade for Giannis, ones that potentially have better offers to make than the Pistons. This one has next to a zero chance of happening, even if Giannis gets traded.