The Detroit Pistons are one move away, and that move is clear.
The Detroit Pistons have taken a real leap. They recently finished the year with a 60-22 record, good for first in the Eastern Conference.
Going into the playoffs, they had high expectations. Matched up against the Orlando Magic, the NBA media thought it would be a very one-sided series.
It didn't quite go that way.
Despite strong performances by Cade Cunningham, the Pistons found themselves down 3-1, with little hope of clawing back. Fortunately, the Pistons did manage to make the comeback, winning the series in 7, but this series exposed a real flaw. Against the Magic, the Pistons got exposed for how little offensive creation they have outside of Cade Cunningham. Every single Pistons player averaged fewer points per game than in the regular season outside of Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris this series. The biggest drop-off, however, was from all-star Jalen Duren, whose PPG dropped from 19.5 to just 10.6, a crushing blow to the Pistons.
Cade Cunningham WAS the Detroit offense. Averaging 32.4 points and 7 assists per game, Cade shouldered the entire offensive load for the Pistons. And despite his eye-popping numbers, this was not a sustainable way to play. Cade recorded a whopping 41 turnovers in this series, the most ever in a 7-game series.
So the Pistons need to make a move, and fast. It's apparent that this roster, as it is now, will struggle to contend against the giants in the West. So what should they do?
What they should do:
New Orleans Pelicans receive: (G) Duncan Robinson, (F) Ron Holland, 2026 unprotected 1st-round-pick, 2028 unprotected 1st-round-pick, 2028 second-round-pick (via MIA), 2030 unprotected 1st-round-pick
Detroit Pistons receive: (F) Trey Murphy III
Free Agency:
Resign (F) Kevin Huerter to a 1-year minimum
Resign (C) Jalen Duren to a 5-year, $200 million contract
Why this works:
This move makes Detroit a giant in the East.
Adding Trey Murphy to this Detroit team makes all the sense in the world. Detroit showed issues with spacing and a lack of a secondary scoring option. Trey Murphy checks every box. His movement shooting and off-ball scoring mixed with Cade's playmaking mean Murphy will have plenty of open shots. The spacing he brings is a necessity for Detroit, as they usually find themselves running lineups with 1-2 non-shooters. Defensively, it's a similar story. Murphy's size and athleticism, mixed with skill and precision, make him a solid defensive option for the opposing team's best wing.
The package makes sense for both sides, too. Murphy has proved to be a consistent high-level option. Acquiring this type of player will come with a high price. But that price is worth paying for his fit with Detroit. Trading away Ron Holland, who has shown to be a promising young player, and 3 future 1st-round-picks puts on full display the confidence Detroit has in their future with Murphy. For any other player or team, a move like this would be a massive gamble. But for Detroit, this move is more of a calculated step into long-term success.
In Free Agency, Detroit secures its future core. Bringing back Jalen Duren on a long-term deal guarantees that Detroit will have a dynamic duo that complements each other well for the coming seasons. Adding on to that, re-signing Kevin Huerter to a minimum deal adds shooting depth at a low cost.
Detroit has the foundation. Now it's about maximizing it. The opportunity to make history is staring them in the face; it's time to seize it.
Detroit Pistons potential 2026-27 starting lineup + bench:
PG: Cade Cunningham SG: Ausar Thompson SF: Trey Murphy III PF: Tobias Harris C: Jalen Duren
G: Daniss Jenkins, Javonte Green F: Kevin Huerter, Caris LeVert C: Paul Reed