New Giannis Trade Rumors Now Link Pistons' Role amid Tyler Herro, Heat, Celtics, Jaylen Brown Buzz

As the soft deadline for a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade approaches, the Detroit Pistons could play a role in helping the Miami Heat acquire the two-time NBA MVP from the Milwaukee Bucks.

Per NBA insider Marc Stein, the Pistons are considered a team to be "monitored" as a facilitator in a potential Heat-Bucks deal that would see Tyler Herro landing in Detroit.

Herro would be a huge asset for a Pistons team that sorely lacked any shooting around Cade Cunningham in the playoffs. There's no indication in Stein's report what Detroit would have to include if it gets involved in this potential blockbuster deal.

Stein also suggested Kyrie Irving, Trey Murphy III, Coby White, Isaiah Joe and Zach LaVine as potential trade targets for the Pistons, who are "believed to be aggressively exploring" various options going into the offseason.

The Heat and Boston Celtics appear to be the primary suitors for Antetokounmpo at this point, though it's unclear how strong Boston's interest is due to some reluctance to offer Jaylen Brown as part of a package.

One interesting note from The Athletic's Sam Amick is the Celtics would prefer a one-for-one swap of Brown for Antetokounmpo, but that would not be enough for Milwaukee:

"It's unclear if the Bucks would look to build around Brown as a centerpiece, as many rival executives have recently predicted, or perhaps rebuild by sending him elsewhere for young players and picks. But whichever path they might select, it's widely believed that Brown alone wouldn't be enough for Milwaukee."

Amick also pointed the Bucks have not been fully enamored by any of the offers they have received, but they tend to operate with "longstanding commitment to organizational secrecy" in a way that could indicate they have had promising talks not being made public.

Previous reporting has indicated there is a sense around the NBA that they are operating like a team that will be picking at No. 10 and 13 in the 2026 NBA draft.

The 13th pick is currently owned by the Heat. Bucks co-governor Jimmy Haslam said last month during the NBA draft lottery that a "natural time" for an Antetokounmpo trade would be prior to the draft so they can assemble their roster.

Herro would be expected to be part of a trade involving Antetokounmpo going to Miami, but it doesn't make much sense for him to stay with Milwaukee if an agreement comes together.

The Bucks would be in the initial stages of a rebuild in that scenario. Herro is only 26 years old, but he will be playing next season on a $33 million expiring contract.

Detroit, on the other hand, would be a great fit for Herro. He has averaged at least 20.0 points per game in five consecutive seasons and owns a 38.2 percent success rate on three-point attempts in his career.

The Pistons tied for 17th in three-point percentage (35.6) during the 2025-26 regular season.