Trades That Can Elevate The Detroit Pistons to Consistent Winners
The Detroit Pistons seem to have almost arrived. Cunningham looks like an all-star. The team is playing at a more competitive level and the roster feels much more cohesive from the previous season. Detroit sits at 11-16 through the first 27 games, but should be anywhere from 13-14 to 16-11. A couple 20 point leads were squandered, crucial & repetitive turnovers in crunch time, a heartbreaking buzzer beater and losing when one out of two free throws would have closed out a tie game with 1 second left. The Pistons CANNOT wait much longer or they will risk losing all the momentum they started the season with and it will be another lottery finish.
The Pistons are a player away from really taking them to that next level of winning more consistently or changing the franchise’s trajectory in a very positive way. A player who can share the load down the stretch with Cade and mitigate some ball handling pressure. Or a player that can go out there and win more battles on the defensive end.
CAM JOHNSON
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Nets receive: Tim Hardaway Jr., 2029 1st round pick (top 5 protected) and 2029 2nd
Pistons receive: Cam Johnson
Why do it if you’re Detroit?
A 1st round pick will almost certainly be required to land Johnson, but very worth it, considering we could flip his bargain contract down the road if this doesn’t work out. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that Johnson "may be able to fetch a future first-round pick in return if the Nets trade him before the deadline." Johnson, who is 28 years old and still has two and a half years left on his contract is in the middle of his best professional season. The Pistons need some size, shooting and consistency on the wing, while their young forwards (Thompson and Holland) develop. Johnson gives them a shot to be very deadly from beyond the arc as he is one of the best three point shooters this season making 43% of his attempts.
Why do it if you’re Brooklyn?
The Nets might just be in sell mode after they let Dennis Schröder go for three second round picks and De'Anthony Melton, who is out for the season. They seem to be interested in clearing cap space for potential deals for available star players on the open market. This trade would clear 50.5 million off of their books over the next 2.5 seasons and put them in a position to go after a top pick this upcoming summer. Brooklyn would match the Thunder in having an absolute ridiculous amount of picks, and they need to if Giannis ever becomes disgruntled in Milwaukee.
DE’AARON FOX
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Kings receive: Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland, 2029 1st rounder, 2031 1st rounder, 2029 2nd and 2030 2nd (via NY), pick swaps
Pistons receive: De’Aaron Fox and Kevin Huerter
Why do it if you’re Detroit?
Fox is a premier point guard in the NBA. He’s having the best season of his career and Detroit could definitely use a star running mate next to Cunningham. The pair can relieve one another of ball handling duties at any given stretch and Detroit would still have Ivey as a super 6th man. Even more enticing is the occasional pairing of Fox and Ivey. That speed, sheesh. Surrounding Cade, Fox and Ivey with shooters like Beasley, THJ, Huerter, and Fontecchio would be dangerous. This trade likely vaults Detroit into the top 6 of the Eastern Conference.
Why do it if you’re Sacramento?
The Kings may have capped out in the West. They will have to extend Fox to a large contract within the next two years, but is the Fox/Sabonis/DeRozan trio enough in that conference? Monk and Demar are plenty capable running ball handling duties if they send out Fox, while Sabonis is a large distributing focal point of the offense as well. Not to mention, the Kings 13th overall pick in 2024, Devin Carter (PG), will return from injury soon. Huerter is having a down shooting year while being paid 16.8 mil this season and 17.9 mil next season. The change of scenery may do him well. Stewart and Holland give the Kings two young pieces that still have plenty of potential.
NAZ REID
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Minnesota receives: Isaiah Stewart, Simone Fontecchio, Marcus Sasser, 2028 2nd (via MIA)
Detroit receives: Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo
Why do it if you’re Detroit?
Stew and Naz are comparable players, but Naz provides an extra boost on offense, which Detroit could really use. They currently sit in the bottom 8 of the league at 109.7 points per game. Naz is the versatile big man scoring threat that Detroit does not have. Donte is having a tough time fitting in with Minnesota. His shooting splits are way down (35/32/75) without having a true point guard finding him in his spots. Last year with Brunson and the year before with Curry, he thrived, averaging shooting splits around 44/40/78. Get him with Cade and you have another version of Beasley on the floor.
Why do it if you’re Minnesota?
The Timberwolves are still not able to unleash Naz into the starting rotation with the acquisition of Julius Randle. Stewart’s four year contract would be a bargain here, plus it gives the Wolves a longer-term option. The Wolves would not have to worry about contract negotiation with Reid. Stew would fit right into the Wolves culture and be a complementary defensive piece to Conley, Ant, McDaniels, Randle and Gobert. Naz deserves a larger role and it appears he won’t get it in Minnesota at this time. Backup point guard has been an issue for the Wolves and Marcus Sasser could come in and fix that quickly. He’s been outstanding shooting the ball this season with 54/41/100 splits in 18 games at 14 minutes per. Fontecchio adds depth and shooting as well.
NIKOLA VUCEVIC & LONZO BALL
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Chicago receives: Isaiah Stewart, Tim Hardaway Jr, 2028 2nd (via MIA) and 2029 2nd
Detroit receives: Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball
Why do it if you’re Detroit?
Vucevic would help the offense operate at a different level than ever before in the Cade era. He can be a focal point on that side of the ball and go for 15-30 points any given night. Trajan and Vinson also get their guy back in Lonzo Ball, hoping he can get back and stay 100% healthy. A Cunningham, Ivey and Ball trio at guard could certainly make waves for years to come if they could workout a long term deal.
Why do it if you’re Chicago?
The Bulls feel like they are close to wiping the slate clean and starting over. Stewart, 10 million less in cap and a couple 2nd round picks is a good start for your 34 year old center and oft-injured Lonzo. Chicago is hoping after the wrist heals, Lonzo is good to go, but even still, they added Josh Giddey, Coby White has arrived and Zach LaVine still commands the ball a ton. They need much less of a traditional point guard and more of a knockdown shooter like Hardaway Jr.
LAURI MARKKANEN & WALKER KESSLER
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Jazz receive: Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr, Jalen Duren, Ron Holland, 2029 1st rounder, 2031 1st, 2027 2nd rounder, 2029 2nd, 2031 2nd, pick swaps
Pistons receive: Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler and Jordan Clarkson
Why do it if you’re Detroit?
This would be a homerun hit. Detroit’s three biggest team weaknesses this season would be fixed with this trade. A consistent running mate next to Cade, protecting the rim and a skilled/stretch scoring big to expand the offense. This also adds considerable size to the Pistons front court. Two 7 footers, one of which is a top 5 rim protector and the other who can stretch the floor and score at will. Lauri can slide back into his natural PF role with the Pistons instead of playing the 3 position next to John Collins and Kessler. It’s a huge haul to land these two big men, but it also may not be enough to get it done knowing Danny Ainge.
Why do it if you’re Utah?
The Jazz can already say that their season is over. At 5-19, they are a whopping 7 games back from the 12th seed. That’s insane, considering they are the 14th seed in the west. They are successfully ruining Lauri Markkanen’s season by playing him at small forward, next to John Collins. Utah already has a treasure trove of picks from the Gobert and Donovan Mitchell trades and they can add to that, plus land two high potential young guys in this trade. This also gives them the opportunity to dump Clarkson. They will not compete in the Markkanen era, but they can set themselves up very well for the future.
ZION WILLIAMSON
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New Orleans receives: Jalen Duren, Ron Holland II, Tim Hardaway Jr., 2029 1st (top 8 protected), 2028 2nd (via MIA)
Detroit receives: Zion Williamson and Yves Missi
Why do it if you’re Detroit?
Disclaimer: This trade would require an in-depth doctor’s approval, stating that Williamson is not dealing with a lingering career injury. Our front office would also have to know if Zion would buy in here.
The controversial one to wrap this up. It has been reported by Marc Stein that the Pelicans are open to trading Zion. His value has almost certainly taken a hit with the latest injury, which means far fewer assets should be required to land Zion. If the doctor tells you this was not connected to previous injuries, you make this trade and aim for Zion’s upside with Cade. Zion had career highs in blocks, rebounds and assists before going down with his injury this season. Yves Missi is no slouch in this trade either. He’s quietly having a very good rookie season. The pick that Detroit is sending out will be heavily protected to provide even more assurance just in case things don't go as planned health wise. For reference, the 1st round pick being traded in 2029, Cade will be 27. At which time, he will likely be one of the best players in the NBA with one year left on his contract.
2025 Season Vision: Trajan Langdon lands Zion Williamson and allows him time to heal up this season as needed. Detroit likely lands in the lottery (pick cedes to MIN if not within 1-13), hopefully for the last time, with a chance at Cooper Flagg. They enter next season led by Cunningham and Williamson. With Ivey, Harris, Missi, Stewart, Ausar, Fontecchio, 2025 lottery pick, and hopefully a re-signed Beasley.
Why do it if you’re New Orleans?
The Zion experiment has not gone the way the Pelicans had hoped. From the jump, he has not appeared to be 100% bought in with the Pelicans. The injuries are just the icing on the cake. New Orleans can start fresh with lottery talents Jalen Duren and Ron Holland II, who still have untapped potential. They also have the opportunity at a future 1st round pick that will likely defer to them when the time comes. Could there be bette offers? Maybe, but Detroit is one of the few teams that can afford to take on Zion.