2023-12-18 10:56:59
Twenty-three straight losses. That’s got to be enough to initiate some form of change, right?
The Pistons have fallen deep into the abyss. Deeper than any team in franchise history and six losses away from falling further than any team in NBA history.
This current iteration of Detroit basketball, which is 2-24 on the season, is broken. The people aren’t fractured, per se. They’re sticking together. On the floor, though, it’s clear that, with each loss, this group is getting more unsure and less confident. Nothing that the Pistons are doing seems to be working, and everyone is carrying the weight of the losing streak on their shoulders.
A shake-up of sorts might help. It certainly won’t hurt. On Dec. 15, the unofficial start of trade season began. And, as a reported over the weekend, league sources tell The Athletic that Detroit is expected to be active in trade discussions leading up to the February deadline. Over the next 10 months, specifically, the Pistons will be looking to upgrade their roster significantly. League sources tell The Athletic that the likes of OG Anunoby, Tobias Harris and other proven forwards are going to be targets for the Pistons between now and free agency this offseason.
As we wait for the first domino to drop, I asked subscribers to send in fake trades so I might help fans get an understanding of the types of deals that Detroit might consider, as well as provide any insight that I might along the way. Let’s get into it.
Trade scenario No. 1
Pistons receive: John Collins and Collin Sexton
Jazz receive: Joe Harris, Marvin Bagley III, Killian Hayes and a 2026 second-round pick
I personally don’t hate this trade, and I don’t think it’s a bad one for either side. Detroit gets decent players under contract for multiple years, while Utah gets contract that’ll expire following this season or next. Both teams are in rebuild mode, but the Pistons are more interested in being better sooner.
However, sources tell The Athleticthat Collins isn’t someone Detroit is particularly interested in targeting. Obviously, things can change, but the power forward who has, reportedly, already overstayed his welcome in Salt Lake City isn’t a priority for the Pistons.
Detroit does need forward depth and Collins’ ability to put the ball in the bucket as well as add vertical spacing would be good for the Pistons, but it appears his value continues to plummet a bit in the eyes of rival teams.
Trade scenario No. 2
Pistons receive: P.J. Washington
Hornets receive: Marvin Bagley III, Monte Morris and two future second-round picks
While I understand Washington’s appeal to others, he’s not someone I’ve heard that Detroit is interested in. If that was the case, the Pistons would have made a run at him in restricted free agency this past summer.
Now, there is one player on the Hornets roster that I’ve heard that the Pistons have had internal discussions regarding over the last year: Miles Bridges. The Flint, Mich., native is on a one-year deal, largely due to his off-the-court legal troubles. Bridges was arrested in June 2022 and pleaded no contest to a felony domestic violence charge last November. He received three years of probation but no jail time as part of a deal with prosecutors. The NBA issued a 30-game suspension to the former Michigan State Spartan.
I’ve gotten the sense the Pistons will likely stay away from Bridges in the short term. Obviously, there’s the risk of attracting negative publicity by adding him — which would only be more amplified given how bad Detroit has been this season. Never say never, but I ultimately believe the Pistons’ decision-makers look elsewhere and continue to invest in players without the baggage Bridges comes with, which is something this organization has prioritized and done correctly during these rebuilding years.
Keldon Johnson might not be the best fit for the Pistons. (Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
Trade scenario No. 3
Pistons receive: Keldon Johnson
Spurs receive: Joe Harris, Killian Hayes and a future second-round pick
Johnson is a weird one because I think he’s a fine NBA player, and while he’s only 24, it feels like he may have reached his ceiling. He’s been the same player for the last three seasons — a near 20-point scorer with fluttering efficiency and isn’t a good defender. However, he is a legitimate NBA player and better right now than a good chunk of players on Detroit’s roster. His name hasn’t hit my radar as someone the Pistons are interested in but, depending on his price, might see them targeting him.
Johnson’s contract does descend over the next three years, going from $20 million this season to $17.5 million two years from now. With that said, if Detroit feels it can realistically get an Anunoby or Harris this summer, I’m not sure I’d risk cutting into my cap space for Johnson at this moment in time.
Furthermore, I don’t see Johnson’s value being as low as this trade suggests. Surely San Antonio might get more than an expiring contract in Harris, a reclamation point guard in Hayes and a second-round pick for Johnson. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’d assume the Spurs might get more.
If that is in fact all it takes to get Johnson, I’d probably do it, unless I’m at least 80 percent certain that I can get a clear upgrade at either forward spot this summer.
This is a tough one for me. It might not be for the Pistons’ decision-makers.
Trade scenario No. 4
Pistons receive: Jerami Grant and Matisse Thybulle
Trail Blazers receive: Joe Harris, Alec Burks, Marvin Bagley III and three future second-round picks
I assume Portland might get more value back for Grant and Thybulle, but I’m not 100 percent sure. Over $30 million in expiring contracts, a solid backup big in Bagley and extra trade fodder might be enough given that the rebuilding Blazers signed Grant to a five-year deal (with a player option!) this summer, just before Damian Lillard requested a trade.
You don’t really see contracts like the one Grant got anymore, not from players who aren’t A-listers or haven’t been with an organization from the beginning. There is great risk in taking on a five-year contract for a non-superstar player. Teams lose flexibility doing that. But Detroit might need to take a risk here soon.
The Pistons can provide Portland with an out of the Grant contract and flexibility for next season, while Detroit gets the exact type of forward it needs. Grant, a former Piston, alongside a more developed Cade Cunningham, Bojan Bogdanović and Jalen Duren is far more intriguing than what Detroit had when Grant was in the Motor City.
The contract scares me because of the flexibility loss that comes with it, but I think I’d do it if I were the Pistons. Grant and Detroit general manager Troy Weaver have a great relationship, so I might very much see the Pistons being open to a Grant reunion as long as they’re certain better options won’t be obtainable between now and next summer.
It’s worth noting, though, that Grant nor Thybulle, a very good defensive wing who can hit an open 3, can be traded until Jan. 15 because they were signed using Bird rights.
Other note: Contending teams like Boston, Oklahoma City and Dallas have shown great interest in Isaiah Stewart, league sources tell The Athletic.
(Top photo of P.J. Washington: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)
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