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The Detroit Pistons are struggling immensely this season, and that is not easily disputable. Detroit fans can take solace, though, in the fact that the Pistons are setting themselves up to propel themselves back into contention within the next two to three seasons. The best outcome for the Pistons this year would be for rookie star Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey and the other youngsters on the team to continue their individual and team development without actually winning too many games.
This outcome will pay dividends down the road in the experience that these players will gain, while also setting the team up to be in prime position to obtain an early draft pick, with which they can acquire another young player with impact potential to add to their growing core.
There is something else Detroit’s front office can do before this year’s trade deadline to set the team up in an even better position for future success, however: The Pistons need to trade away any players who will not be a part of their next core, which will allow more playing time and on-court experience for their young players, while also bringing back additional assets who will be able to contribute to the teams’ next competitive core.
Jerami Grant is currently the best player on Detroit's roster, and it is vital that Detroit finds a new home for the veteran forward while they still have the leverage to extract a quality return that can help accelerate their rebuild. These two potential trades will get Grant out of Detroit, while returning youth and draft picks that can either be added to Detroit's roster to fit around Cunningham, or be flipped to another team for a better-fitting star who becomes disgruntled sometime within the next 12 months.
Note: This piece was published while the Pistons made a trade.
Pistons NBA Trade Deadline Musts
Trade #1: Jerami Grant and Killian Hayes to the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland receives: Jerami Grant, Killian Hayes
Detroit receives: 2022 first-round pick, future FRP, Nassir Little
The Pistons should look to stock up on draft picks in an effort to obtain another young star to build around. If the season ended today, Portland would own two lottery picks. Detroit should ask for both of these, however, they may need to settle for one along with a future first. Detroit should also inquire about Anfernee Simons, even if that comes in place of one of the draft picks. Likely, Portland will not agree to this.
Detroit can then adjust their offer back to two first round picks, plus Nassir Little. Perhaps Dennis Smith Jr. could be added as a sweetener as well, as the talented guard could figure things out and experience a career resurgence with more low-stakes playing time on a rebuilding team. If Smith Jr. is not included, that’s okay. Two picks plus Little is an excellent return for a player who will likely not be part of the next contending roster in the Motor City anyways.
Trade #2: Jerami Grant to the Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte receives: Jerami Grant, 2023 second round pick
Detroit receives: P.J. Washington and two first-round picks
In this deal, Detroit will be giving up a player who they have little use for in Grant to a Charlotte team with the ability to contend sooner rather than later. In exchange, the Pistons will receive Washington, who is a tough, strong player with the potential to be an impact defender at the four spot, and who also has the potential to hurt opponents from behind the three-point line as well.
Building around Cunningham with 3-and-D players isn’t a bad strategy, particularly if those role players have the potential to be more as well. Both Saddiq Bey (likely at small forward) and PJ Washington (best suited at power forward) both fit this archetype. Detroit will also be obtaining two draft picks in this deal that they can either use to try and draft impact players at either shooting guard or center, or these picks can be packaged down the road and flipped in a deal to bring in a disgruntled star to round out the team’s young core.
For example, DeAndre Ayton wouldn’t be a bad addition to this team if Phoenix doesn’t want to commit long-term big money to him. A lineup of Cunningham-(impact player in 2022/future draft)-Bey-Washington-Ayton could definitely contend within the next three seasons, arguably the next two if things break their way. This is a realistic outcome, and this deal would get Detroit moving in that direction.
Grant has played well in Detroit, and has earned his way to another team where he can play more meaningful basketball. He probably doesn’t want to stick around for a rebuild, and he will be nearing the end of his prime when Detroit is competitive again. It is best for both sides to move Grant to a better team in exchange for future assets and potential complementary pieces to Detroit’s roster. Both of these trades accomplish that goal, and Detroit’s front office should be looking to make a deal prior to the trade deadline.
