It is well documented that the Detroit Pistons have many decisions to make as they look to build on one of the franchise’s best regular-season campaigns.
3 Under-the-Radar Players Who the Pistons Should Pursue
The Pistons, who reportedly want to keep their core together while adding a piece or two, are expected to operate as an over-the-cap team this offseason despite having a projected $30 million in cap space, per Hunter Pederson of The Athletic.
“My sense is the Pistons will choose to operate over the cap to be as aggressive as possible,” Pederson said. [Trajan] Langdon said during his postseason availability that he knew [Jalen] Duren and [Ausar] Thompson “would be expensive.” After inking Duren to a new deal and fine-tuning an extension with Thompson, which I expect to happen, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Detroit hit the trade market.”
Detroit has 11 players under contract for the upcoming season with a salary cap hit of $135.4 million. The Pistons do have some flexibility with only $109 million guaranteed. However, the Pistons are expected to re-sign restricted free agent Duren and guarantee the contracts of Paul Reed ($5.6 million) and Daniss Jenkins ($4.0 million). The Pistons may choose to team up Jenkins’ deal and give him a raise. Tolu Smith III has a team option ($2.4 million), and only $2 million of Duncan Robinson’s $15.99 million deal is guaranteed.
Projecting Players the Pistons Want To Retain
The Pistons’ primary goal this offseason will be to ink Duren to a long-term deal. Speaking of Duren, he is eligible for a five-year, $287.1 million deal after earning third team All-NBA honors this past season. However, Pederson doesn’t expect that the 22-year-old will get the max.
“There’s a general sense around the league, as things stand today, that negotiations likely began far apart and will eventually come to a middle ground in the ballpark of a five-year, $200 million to $220 million deal — landing Duren an average annual value of $40 million to $44 million,” Pederson wrote yesterday.
If that is the case, that would put the Pistons’ salary hit between $175 and $180 million. The Pistons have said they want to re-sign Tobias Harris, who was fantastic in the playoffs. Harris will have to take a pay cut to return, likely getting a two-year deal worth between $8 and $ 12 million per year.
Including Harris’s $12 million max and Jenkins receiving a projected pay increase of $1-to-$2 million for this season, as part of a new deal, the Pistons’ salary cap hit would rise to a max of $194 million. Thus, leaving them about $7 million below the luxury tax.
The Pistons have also been predicted to re-sign Javonte Green at the veteran minimum. The Pistons also have the No. 21 pick in this month’s draft, though they have been rumored to be interested in trading up for University of Michigan product Yaxel Lendeborg. They also plan on extending Thompson this summer, but that shouldn’t affect his $11.1 million salary this summer.
How Can The Pistons Improve?
If everything goes as projected, the Pistons would have 14 players on their roster, putting them up against the tax threshold. That doesn’t mean the Pistons don’t have any options. Their biggest needs are a secondary scorer, ball-handling, and perhaps a stretch-4, if Harris isn’t retained. They have already been linked to Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard, though they don’t make much sense for the Pistons at this point.
Detroit could cut Robinson and save nearly $14 million. However, that doesn’t make sense as Robinson had a solid season, including a playoff campaign, and is one of the top 3-point shooters in the league. He excels shooting off the catch, is a versatile defender, and had the second highest plus/minus on the Pistons this season.
Of course, the Pistons could trade Robinson, as teams always need shooting. But if the Pistons are going to make a trade, Caris LeVert, Isaiah Stewart, and Ron Holland II are potentially their best trade chips. They have 18 future draft picks from 2027-2032, including six first-round picks.
“Ron Holland II, Isaiah Stewart — given how well backup big Paul Reed played anytime his number was called — and Caris LeVert are likely the Pistons’ best assets in trade talks,” Pederson noted. “Holland will enter next season at 21 and seems to have an abundance of untapped potential. Stewart, who turned 25 in May, is one of the best rim protectors in the league and could thrive in an expanded role.”
Who Are The Pistons’ Reasonable Options This Offseason?
Even if Detroit decides to run things back, which won’t preclude them from making a trade before the trade deadline, they could still add a player or two.
“Two names to monitor on Oklahoma City are shooting guards Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe,” Pederson claimed. “Though they’re still under contract, the Thunder could be looking to shed salary, and both could potentially be quality rotational pieces off the bench with the Pistons.”
Wiggins, who will make a reasonable $9.2 million this season, has three years left on his contract on a declining scale. Wiggins would fit well with Cunningham and Thompson due to his shooting and two-way capabilities. The 27-year-old struggled shooting the ball this past season after compiling a career season last year. He is a high-IQ three-level scorer and can guard four positions.
For his career, Wiggins averages 8.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while making 1.1 threes with shooting splits of 48.7/38.0/73.6. He had four 20-point scoring games this past season and tallied a career-high 41 in 2024-25.
Joe will make $11.3 million this upcoming team with a team option for 2027-28. Joe is an excellent movement shooter who thrives off screens, in transition, and on the catch. He doesn’t make many mistakes and competes defensively.
Joe is coming off a career-season in 2025-26, averaging 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. The 26-year-old drained 2.5 threes with shooting splits of 45.5/42.3/89.4. He scored in double figures in 36 of his 71 appearances, topping the 20-point mark 11 times.
Another potential option is Tari Eason. Eason is projected to be a restricted free agent with a qualifying offer of $8.014 million, and Houston could face a financial crunch, especially if Kevin Durant remains on the team. Perhaps a sign-and-trade is a viable option.
Eason is a physical swithable defender with outstanding instincts. The 25-year-old is also an outstanding rebounder and capable floor spacer, making a career-high 1.6 threes at a personal-best 35.6% clip this past season. While he struggled shooting the ball this past season, the 6-8 forward averaged 10.5 points along with 6.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals. He scored in double-figures in 33 of his 60 appearances, topping the 20-point mark on four occassions.
“Eason is a defensive-minded wing who has proven to be a more effective scorer than both Thompson and Holland, though he could have the lowest upside of the trio,” Pederson continued. “I could see Eason thriving under [JB] Bickerstaff’s system and helping space the floor for [Cade] Cunningham in the process.”
Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta. Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
