Detroit Pistons senior advisor Ed Stefanski tells Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press that the organization is willing to part ways with its young assets if it nets them an impact player who “would move the needle for us.”

The Pistons are already near the luxury-tax line due to the large contracts of power forward Blake Griffin, point guard Reggie Jackson and center Andre Drummond.

Stefanski says Detroit would give up assets such as young players and multiple picks if a star player becomes available via trade.

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“We would definitely give up an asset,” Stefanski said. “(Pistons owner) Tom Gores would go into the luxury tax only — and I agree with this — if it would move the needle for us to be a team that would allow us to compete in the conference.

“If we’re asked to give up a big asset like a first-round pick to help the growth of the franchise, we would consider it. But that deal would have to be where we really felt the player coming back would move the needle. If we weren’t sure of that, to make a big commitment with assets, I think could really hurt us. We can’t make a deal to set the franchise back. We have to be very careful about that.”

All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler was available via trade at the beginning of the season, but he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. Unfortunately for the Pistons, there isn't any star player who is available to get right now for the right price.

Detroit lost to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday by a final score of 121-98. They are now 16-19 on the season.