Ranking Pistons' Top Trade Targets After 2026 NBA Playoff Loss
Remember those season-long concerns about Cade Cunningham's lack of scoring and creation help?
Well, they just spelled the Detroit Pistons' early demise from the 2026 NBA playoffs. And they figure to be this franchise's biggest focus entering the offseason.
Offensive upgrades in general should be prioritized. Non-Cade creation is a major concern, but spacing is a short-list priority, too. Scoring consistency really isn't a strength for anyone other than Cunningham, either.
Detroit may not be up for spending what it would take to cover all of these areas at once, but it could cobble together some formidable offers if it wanted. Let's take a look at the Pistons' top potential trade targets if they're willing to stretch their budget.
3. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
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Basketball-wise, the Pistons really can't find a better fit for what they need than Leonard.
He is a wildly effective (and forever efficient) offensive player who doesn't dominate the ball but looks great when needed to fill up the spotlight. He could scratch virtually every itch the Pistons have on offense and still make them even stronger on defense.
In a vacuum, he sounds like a dream. So, what's the catch? Well, there are a couple. For starters, he'll turn 35 this summer, so he's not at all a timeline fit. He's also a walking question mark when it comes to availability, which is kind of a big deal when Detroit is seeking consistency next to Cunningham.
Throw in the cost—not just in trade assets but also his $50.3 million salary for next season—and the Pistons could easily decide Leonard just isn't for them. Yet, the basketball fit is so compelling that they should at least entertain the idea.
2. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
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Would the Pistons be willing to absorb the defensive damage done by adding Herro to this roster? If they really want an offensive upgrade, they should be.
Herro probably doesn't get his proper due for his consistently high-end point production. Only six players have averaged at least 20 points, four assists and 2.5 three-pointers in each of the past five seasons, and he's one of them. The other five are household names: Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell and LaMelo Ball.
And Herro isn't just a volume compiler. Far from it. Among the 75 players to score at least 2,000 points since the start of last season, his 60.4 true shooting percentage ranks 25th. He is a scoring threat from every level, and he plays a smart enough style to boost his shooting rates and limit his giveaways.
His availability isn't automatic, but Miami may not want to cover the cost of a contract extension or could even prefer to bring Norman Powell back instead. There are ways for Herro to hit the trade market and arguments for Detroit to pounce if he does.
1. Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans
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Pistons fans and front office members won't like hearing this, but the ideal co-star for Cunningham probably isn't available at the moment. Those on the market all have drawbacks: age and availability concerns, defensive limitations, spacing constraints, you name it.
But what if an established, legitimate star isn't needed to make this work? What if a super-high-end role player would do? Because Murphy may not be a "star" by definition, but he could help connect a lot of dots in Detroit.
His three-ball is lively, and it blazes with both volume and efficiency. His scoring punch is powerful, especially as a secondary or tertiary option. His creativity will never be a go-to strength, but he constantly ups its potency. Defensively, he has the length, mobility and athleticism needed to seamlessly shift through assignments.
He'd be a great get for Detroit. It's just a matter of paying whatever the Pelicans are asking, and chances are, it'll be a fortune. But if the Pistons think they're a second scorer away from contending, this might be the all-in move worth making.
