The Detroit Pistons require talent, role players, and pretty much everything.
They don’t even have a team president yet, and that person may decide to dismiss the GM and coach, so the Pistons’ offseason needs haven’t gotten any shorter since the worst year in team history was mercifully over.
Detroit may not have the resources to trade for a high-profile player, but that doesn’t mean they can’t gain from someone else’s transaction.
As one of the few teams with significant cap space, the Pistons are in a good position to assist grease the wheels of a large trade that uses that space, while also regaining an asset or two.
Here are three scenarios in which they may benefit this summer.
The Detroit Pistons and the New Orleans Pelicans
According to sources, Brandon Ingram might be traded this summer, and the Detroit Pistons could simply try to get him outright.
However, the Pels are in an unusual scenario in which they want to compete now while still building for the future and reducing payroll, so they may be unwilling to take on a young project as the centerpiece of any trade with Ingram.
According to Marc Stein (Subscription), the Philadelphia, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Orlando teams may be interested in Ingram.
If Detroit is unable to acquire Ingram entirely, they may be entitled to retain a portion of his salary to assist him in adjusting to his new team. Could they get De’Andre Hunter from Atlanta for almost nothing? The Cavaliers (more on them later) would have to cut a payroll to accommodate Ingram and could trade someone like Jarrett Allen (who the Pelicans would adore) or Max Strus. If the Pelicans do not want to take on another large salary, the Pistons might step in.
Philly and Orlando each have their own cap space, so a third club seems unlikely, but if Ingram is traded, the Pistons can acquire assets to help make it happen even if they do not get Ingram themselves.
The Detroit Pistons and the Utah Jazz
The Jazz are a team looking to make a major splash, and they have the young players and future draft picks to do so.
Danny Ainge stated the Jazz would go “big game hunting” (can we stop with the animal metaphors already?) this summer, trying to add another star to their intriguing core.
The Pistons might get involved by taking back a hefty contract that the Jazz don’t want, or by taking on a player they need to get rid of to make room, such as Taylor Hendricks.
The Jazz, who also have cap space, will not need the Pistons in that regard, but they may require an extra young player to grease the wheels of a deal and may be able to send Detroit a player from their excess.
The Detroit Pistons and Donovan Mitchell
The Detroit Pistons will not trade for Donovan Mitchell this offseason, but the clubs that may do so are all in cap hell.
The three teams most linked to Mitchell are the Lakers, Nets, and Heat, all of which have salary cap concerns that would make it difficult to take on Mitchell’s deal without sending a hefty one out in exchange.
Could the Pistons get an asset from the Lakers by taking on one of their larger contracts so Cleveland does not have to? The Nets are difficult to predict. They’d want to get rid of Ben Simmons to free up a contract slot for Mitchell, but what are they ready to give up to do so?
Will the Heat have to trade Tyler Herro to make place for Mitchell, and if so, where will he go? Cleveland may prefer other assets and decline to take on his agreement.
These are just three examples of how the Pistons could use their cap space and assets this summer to participate in a deal, but there are plenty more. Detroit may not be able to sign a superstar, but if they use their cap room wisely, they may do well.
