The NBA trade deadline is less than a month away, and everyone seems to have an opinion about what the Detroit Pistons should do.
There are those who think the Pistons are a championship caliber team now and shouldn’t do anything to disrupt the chemistry they have built, as they have something special going.
There are others who think the Eastern Conference is there for the taking and that the Pistons should make some kind of move to improve the roster, as windows like this don’t always stay open.
It’s easy to see either side of this debate. As a fan, I love this team and want to see them win something meaningful together. These are our guys, and it feels like we as fans have been through the trenches with them.
On the other hand, Cade Cunningham is having a first-team All-NBA type season, and I can see the temptation to try and speed things up to avoid wasting these types of seasons, as they won't last forever.
Zach Lowe weighed in on the most recent episode of his podcast, saying he thinks the Pistons will make some kind of “3-for-1" trade to consolidate some of their talent for an upgrade.
He specifically mentioned Trey Murphy III as a possible target and laid out a possible package that could pry him away from New Orleans.
But Lowe also admitted that Trajan Langdon knows more than he does, and that all indications are that the Pistons are not going to make a big move. So, are the Pistons playing possum?
Detroit Pistons at the trade deadline: It’s anyone’s guess
If I were Trajan Langdon, my instinct would be not to disrupt this thing too much, as the Pistons have better chemistry and continuity than just about any team in the NBA and that matters in basketball, the ultimate team sport.
The Pistons have overwhelmed teams with defense and depth, which has masked some problems on the offensive end, particularly in the half court, where spacing is still an issue at times. It hasn’t mattered so far in the regular season, but come playoffs, Detroit will have to be better.
My guess is that Langdon tries to find a middle ground that adds some kind of impact player without disrupting the core, and that any move he does make will have the future in mind, not just this season.
The Pistons haven’t even won a playoff series with this group yet, so it’s far too soon to be making the kind of win-now trade that veteran contenders might be making at the deadline. Detroit is in first place with players who are not yet near their peaks, so while it would be nice to add more shooting, I highly doubt Langdon is going to sell out this team to do it.
The Pistons have been tight-lipped so far, and we aren’t likely to know their true intentions until next month. Stay tuned.