The Detroit Pistons are expected to be among the most competitive teams in the Eastern Conference in the 2025-26 season. Led by a rising star in Cade Cunningham, the Pistons could be primed to make a deep playoff push this year.
The Pistons have made some noteworthy additions to their roster to ensure that they have the necessary tools to do so. With the addition of a veteran sharpshooter with playoff experience like Duncan Robinson, Detroit strengthened its bench. Meanwhile, with the signing of Caris LeVert this summer, the team added depth and flexibility to the backcourt rotation.
The Pistons’ offseason activities have primarily been directed towards shoring up the roster. Although this is a solid strategy, the Pistons could attempt to be more ambitious given the unique opportunity to rise through the ranks of the East this season.
With this approach in mind, we take a closer look at a trade idea that would help Detroit transform into a contender, specifically by acquiring an All-Star to support Cunningham in leading the team. Here is the trade package.
Proposed Trade Details
Detroit Pistons Receive: Domantas Sabonis
Sacramento Kings Receive: Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart, 2027 second-round pick (MIL), 2028 second-round pick (CHA/LAC)
The acquisition of three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis could be significant for the Detroit Pistons. When additionally considering how such a deal would affect the Sacramento Kings, we examine the impact of this trade on both parties involved.
Why Do The Kings Do This Deal?
While seemingly unlikely, the Kings may see some merit to this trade. The 2024-25 season was an underwhelming one for Sacramento. After finishing ninth in the West, the Kings had an opportunity to secure a playoff berth. Unfortunately, they came up short after a loss to the Dallas Mavericks during the Play-In tournament.
The team’s repeated shortcomings raised a lot of questions about the core, leading to rumors about trades involving key players like Sabonis as well. Instead, the Kings seemed inclined to retool, specifically by trading for Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga.
While Sacramento appeared to be a likely landing spot for the young forward, following Golden State’s success in re-signing him, it would seem like the Kings are destined for a rebuild.
With a rebuild becoming the likely course of action, the franchise could look to blow it all up, beginning with the trade of its most valuable asset, Domantas Sabonis. The Kings’ big man is currently on a $42.3 million deal with three years left on his contract. Given the cap impact of such a deal, the Kings would benefit from acquiring an expiring contract such as Tobias Harris.
Harris is currently in the final year of his contract and is expected to have a cap hit of $26.6 million. While helping the Kings shed some salary this season itself, his acquisition would allow the franchise to clear a significant amount of cap space to help with their rebuilding process.
Meanwhile, the veteran forward also has value as a rotation piece. Last season, he averaged 13.7 points and 5.9 rebounds, on 47.7% shooting from the field and 34.5% from three. As a solid wing player, he could play in different settings to provide a scoring boost.
Apart from Harris, the Kings would also be acquiring Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart. Although the center is infamous for his aggressive behavior, he has some upside that could be of use to a rebuilding team.
Last season, the 6.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 55.9% from the field. While he has shown some potential to stretch the floor as well, this will need to be cultivated by providing him with more playing time. Given that the Kings will see a vacancy in the frontcourt, Stewart could earn some solid minutes.
While these two players could be deemed solid additions, the Kings could be more interested in the two draft assets they receive in this deal. Given how valuable draft capital can be for rebuilding teams, Sacramento may see a lot more merit in completing this trade simply to build up its draft reserves.
Overall, this trade would not make the Kings a better team right away, but it does help them get started with rebuilding. By putting the right pieces together, Sacramento could find itself becoming a more competitive team in due time.
The Pistons Become A Contender
The Pistons find themselves in an interesting position next season. Last season, the team secured a playoff berth with an impressive 44-38 record. After recording a 14-68 record and finishing the 2023-24 season at the bottom of the East, this is a significant display of growth by the young team.
Much of their success could be credited to the performances of Cade Cunningham, who grew in stature and star power over the last year. With the additional influence of J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit is undoubtedly a team to watch this season.
But are they good enough to contend for the title? Probably not yet.
The Pistons have some solid pieces on their roster. With the likes of Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, and Jaden Ivey, the team boasts a promising young core. But given the kind of competition for the top spot in the East, especially with newly improved teams like the Orlando Magic and the New York Knicks, Detroit could struggle to emerge as a true contender. In this regard, acquiring a player like Domantas Sabonis could prove valuable.
While Detroit’s offseason efforts have improved the team’s backcourt, its big man rotation is quite thin. By inserting Sabonis into the starting lineup, potentially alongside Duren, the Pistons boost their roster strength significantly.
Sabonis brings a lot of upside. His playmaking abilities, reliable rebounding, and floor spacing make him a versatile asset who could be deployed in various settings. Last season, he averaged 19.1 points and 13.9 rebounds to go with 6.0 assists per game, shooting 59.0% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range. Although he is a floor-bound big man, his skill set could allow him to share playmaking duties with Cunningham, giving the Pistons’ guard more freedom to take over on scoring.
Another factor that benefits Detroit in this scenario is Sabonis’ contract. Given that he has three years left on his deal, the Pistons could safely look to build around the duo of Sabonis and Cunningham, effectively making them a powerhouse for years to come.
The Pistons Aren’t Contenders Yet
Detroit has the potential to be an exciting team next season. Cunningham’s development over the past year has ensured that, if he remains healthy, the Pistons could successfully mount a deep playoff run. Unfortunately, at the current juncture, the competition in the upper echelon of the East may be too much for the young team.
This, however, does not dismiss what this team is capable of. For all intents and purposes, Detroit possesses all the right tools to emerge as a contender in the future. As Cunningham continues to develop as a star in the league, the Pistons would only benefit from surrounding him with enough talent to help him lead the franchise to the promised land.
