The Detroit Pistons are not planning on being a flash in the pan. While Pistons basketball operations director Trajan Langdon previously made it clear that the Pistons intend to “compete for a championship”, he does have a lot on his plate.
Pistons Reportedly Interested In 4 Guards
Langdon’s first decision is how to approach the NBA draft. The Pistons own the No. 21 pick in this year’s draft, thanks to a savvy pick-swap trade in the Jaden Ivey trade that they picked up from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Pistons, who are reportedly in search of ball-handling and shooting help, have been linked to Christian Anderson and Bennett Stirtz at No. 21.
“Spacing the floor is huge and giving more optionality on the offensive end to have more creativity, Langdon said during the Pistons news conference yesterday. When you have more ballhandlers and more shooting, that opens it up for our three best players. Those are the things we’re looking at. Can we fill that with two players, or with one? Do we do it on the perimeter, with a big? We’ll look at all of those things.”
During the press conference, Langdon also talked about the Pistons being fortunate to land at No. 21 in the draft via the swap. But, he added the Pistons may look to move up before the draft on June 23-24.
“Could we look at situations to get up if need be? Yes,” Langdon said. “But I do think if we stay at 21, we’ll find a player we like. I do have a feeling that people will be aggressively trying to get better. We’re doing the same thing.”
But it is after the draft that the Pistons will have to get their hands dirty. The Pistons have plenty of decisions to make concerning their own players before free agency opens at the beginning of next month.
First up for Detroit will be decisions on Jalen Duren, Daniss Jenkins, and Tolu Smith III. Duren will be a restricted free agent once the Pistons officially make him the qualifying offer, while Jenkins and Smith have club options. The Pistons will surely pick up Jenkins’ option.
“I want him here,” Langdon commented on Duren’s potential upcoming extension. “We really want JD to be here.”
Pistons Expected to Be Active In Free Agency and Trades
Besides signing Duren to an extension and exercising Jenkins’ options, Detroit has other important decisions to make. While it has been reported that the Pistons are interested in keeping their core together — which includes UFAs Tobias Harris and Javonte Green — they are expected to be active in free agency and on the trade market.
The Pistons project to have $30 million in cap space to begin the offseason. Isaiah Stewart, Caris LeVert, and Ron Holland, along with their draft assets, are their biggest trade chips. Including this year, the Pistons have seven future first-round picks and 12 second-round selections.
“We’re not going to give up too many assets for a player that we feel, without having those assets down the road, would hamper us in terms of making another move,” Langdon continued. “Our best player we drafted here. Our top three players we drafted here,” Langdon said. “It’s finding the players that fit our top three players and enhance what they can do around them.”
The Pistons are believed to have an interest in Austin Reaves if he hits the open market. Otherwise, Isaiah Joe, Coby White, Tyler Herro, Trey Murphy III, Kyrie Irving, and Zach LaVine could be trade targets. Irving doesn’t make sense for the Pistons. Meanwhile, the Pistons acquiring Murphy III and Herro are longer shots.
Austin Reaves
Reaves is coming off a career season and is expected to opt out of his player option with the Lakers. The Pistons are one of only a handful of teams to have plenty of cap space to accommodate Reaves, who reportedly wants a max deal.
Reaves would be a perfect fit for the Pistons alongside Cade Cunningham. Reaves is a solid perimeter shooter who can serve as a secondary creator. Just as important, he is capable of punishing defense when the defense loads up to contain Cunningham.
Detroit can offer Reaves, just like everyone besides the Lakers, four years for $178 million. That equates to an average of $44 million. Re-signing Duren and adding Reaves would potentially add about $80 to $85 million to the Pistons’ salary cap. So, the Pistons would be at about $218 million or $4 million below the second apron with 14 players under contract.
The Pistons can save $15 million by unloading Stewart, who should draw interest. However, it is likely the savings would be that much, as the Pistons would likely have to take back salary. More realistically, the Pistons would save between $ 4 and $5 million. That would leave them $4 million above the first apron.
“League sources say Detroit Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart is available,” Sam Amick of The Athletic wrote. “The Pistons, in search of additional shooting and playmakers, appear ready to rely on seventh-year big man Paul Reed in an increased role. Stewart has two years and a combined $30 million left on his deal (team option in the second season).”
Isaiah Joe
Joe is a relatively cheap option, with two years and $22.6 million left on his deal, and a 2026-27 player option. Joe has been a valuable member of Oklahoma City’s bench the last few seasons and is coming off a career year.
Joe is a volume 3-point shooter who averages two career treys per game at 40.6% from deep. The 26-year-old thrives on relocating to open spots, which would create lanes for Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, and Holland. However, he isn’t really a creator.
Detroit can absorb Joe’s $11.6 million salary into its salary cap space, and the Thunder is looking to cut payroll. So, the Pistons would have to send out a future first-rounder (2030) or a pair of future second-rounders back to OKC.
Coby White
White is an unrestricted free agent, though Charlotte is expected to make a bid to keep him. White provides the shooting and secondary creation that the Pistons desperately need. He is a bucket-getter who is solid from deep, averaging 2.3 threes at a 36.9% clip. He has an $18–$20 million AAV for the upcoming season, with a likely three-year $54 million deal.
Zach LaVine
LaVine is on an expiring $48.9 million contract as he is expected to exercise his player option. LaVine only appeared in 39 games this past season as he underwent finger surgery. The 31-year-old is a three-level scorer who thrives in pick‑and‑rolls and late clock situations.
Depending on what Detroit has to send back to Sacramento, the deal will be determined. Stewart and LeVert, or Duncan Robinson, should do it, as the Pistons would only add $18 or $19 million to their ledger. Only $2 million of Robinson’s $16 million deal is guaranteed.
Rick Osentoski, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
