The Detroit Pistons have positioned themselves as one of the best young teams in the NBA. Coming off an impressive season, finishing sixth in the East and securing a playoff berth, the Pistons are primed for a better performance next season.
To facilitate this, the Pistons front office has had to make some changes. Having lost players like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley to free agency, the Pistons boosted their roster strength with the addition of Duncan Robinson.
As effective as Robinson is, it is evident that he isn’t considered an impact player. Hence, this raises some suspicion that a bigger move could be in the works.
NBA insider Brett Siegel addressed this in a recent report, suggesting that the Pistons would be looking to make a move before the trade deadline, with a key player being mentioned as the central piece. He wrote:
“Keep an eye on the Pistons seeking a big upgrade before the trade deadline and potentially including Ivey in said move, as well as their new $14 million TPE from the Dennis Schroder sign-and-trade with Sacramento.”
Siegel elaborated that Ivey’s injury, which saw him only play 30 games last season, raised some alarms for Detroit. In the final year of his rookie contract, several also had doubts about how well he fit in the Pistons’ backcourt next to Cade Cunningham, who is known to operate primarily in the halfcourt.
It is safe to say that Jaden Ivey is a gifted player. At 23 years old, he is an incredible athlete with a versatile skillset. He displayed his ability to contribute. He displayed his ability to contribute last season by averaging 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, while shooting 46.0% from the field and 40.9% from three-point range.
A decision to part ways with Ivey would require the Pistons to acquire a significant contributor in return. With this in mind, we present four targets that Detroit could land in a potential trade with their guard as the central piece.
Anfernee Simons
Proposed Trade Details
Detroit Pistons Receive: Anfernee Simons
Boston Celtics Receive: Jaden Ivey, Isaiah Stewart, 2027 second-round pick
Replacing Jaden Ivey with Anfernee Simons could be in the Pistons’ best interests. As a versatile scorer, Simons effectively mimics Ivey’s style of play while bringing an added layer of experience with him.
Last season with the Trail Blazers, the 26-year-old guard recorded an average of 19.3 points and 4.8 assists per game, on shooting splits of 42.6% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range.
Although Ivey offers more accuracy and efficiency in scoring, Simons is a more potent scoring force overall. When also considering that he was available for 70 games last season, the 26-year-old guard could be considered a more reliable pickup.
The Celtics would be quite willing to do this trade. Along with their intentions of offloading Simons’ contract to get under the second apron, the appeal of draft capital and a capable big man would pique their interest.
While Simons is also known to prefer a transition-driven offense, he is more likely to defer to Cunningham. This could be a positive sign, as the Pistons will look to make a deep run into the postseason.
Mikal Bridges
Proposed Trade Details
Detroit Pistons Receive: Mikal Bridges
New York Knicks Receive: Jaden Ivey, Isaiah Stewart, 2027 first-round pick
Acquiring Mikal Bridges could be huge for the Detroit Pistons. When considering the forward’s skillset, durability, and playoff experience, Bridges could be the ideal pickup for the team.
Bridges is among the most consistent players in the league. Considering that he hasn’t missed a single game in his career, the 28-year-old finds a way to make an impact.
On the Knicks, Bridges became accustomed to playing a halfcourt style of game. In such a system, he averaged 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, while shooting 50.0% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range.
Bridges would seamlessly fit into Detroit’s system, boosting their defensive potential in the process of doing so. When considering the recent trade rumors involving him, the Pistons could make a legitimate run at acquiring him.
The Knicks may be hesitant to do this trade as parting ways with Mikal Bridges could be considered outrageous. But with a new coach in place and the potential need for a different profile of player, the Knicks could entertain this idea.
RJ Barrett
Proposed Trade Details
Detroit Pistons Receive: RJ Barrett
Toronto Raptors Receive: Jaden Ivey, Isaiah Stewart, 2027 second-round pick
A trade of this nature doesn’t really move the needle for the Toronto Raptors much, but it could be of value to the Detroit Pistons.
RJ Barrett has recently been mentioned in a fair number of trade rumors. If this is indicative of an exit from the Raptors, the Pistons could look at acquiring him in a trade.
Barrett is an interesting prospect to pursue. At 25 years old, he presents solid scoring and playmaking ability at his size. With an average of 21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, the Canadian showcased his ability to contribute in virtually every aspect of the game.
Barrett’s addition could create an intriguing backcourt pairing with Cunningham. Considering that they have similar playing styles, the increased potential for distributing playmaking duties could be of interest to Detroit.
As intriguing as this idea would be, it has its shortcomings. The Raptors guard hasn’t enjoyed much success in the playoffs, and his limited experience isn’t awe-inspiring in any capacity. When also considering how inconsistent he can be, acquiring him may be considered a risky move.
Andrew Wiggins
Proposed Trade Details
Detroit Pistons Receive: Andrew Wiggins
Miami Heat Receive: Jaden Ivey, Isaiah Stewart, 2027 first-round pick
Andrew Wiggins could be a genuine difference-maker if the Pistons can successfully acquire him. Although the forward was largely linked with the Lakers in trade rumors, Detroit should consider making a run at trading for him.
Wiggins brings a lot to the table that could be of interest to the Pistons. His defensive instincts remain impressive, as he makes use of his length and agility to guard multiple positions.
On the offensive end, the 30-year-old remains a capable player. Last season, he recorded an average of 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Considering that he moved to the Heat midway through the season, the forward saw an uptick in his production when given the latitude to take more shots.
For the Pistons, Wiggins’ playoff experience and championship pedigree will be of immense value. Having played an important role in Golden State‘s 2022 title charge, the 30-year-old could prove to be invaluable in helping the young team navigate the perils and challenges of the postseason.
There appear to be no immediate downsides to this acquisition. The only concern would be whether the Pistons can help Wiggins remain engaged for the entire duration of the regular season.
The Future Is Bright For Detroit
Whether the Pistons decide to trade Ivey or not will only be seen with time. Regardless, the team’s future appears to be a bright one.
Leaders like Cade Cunningham are rare in any generation. His ambition and determination have helped the Pistons reclaim their place as a powerhouse in the East, helping bring pride back to a city that needed it.
The outlook for the Pistons next season is interesting, especially with last season’s playoff experience serving as a catalyst for their growth. Should the Pistons make some significant moves, considering the state of the East, they could realistically emerge as contenders to make it out of the conference.
