The Detroit Pistons are going on their third straight month of holding the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed, holding a somewhat commanding five-plus-game lead over the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks after the NBA trade deadline.
Having made just one trade, acquiring shooting guard Kevin Huerter and forward Dario Šarić from the Chicago Bulls in a three-team deal that also sent the Chicago Bulls Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr., while Detroit also secured a 2026 first-round pick swap from Minnesota, who received cash considerations and will probably re-sign Conley soon, the Pistons spent little but landed a lot at the deadline.
Where does Detroit go from here, though? Have they done enough to contend during what will be their first postseason with a target on their back?
If Pistons' President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, and star Cade Cunningham feel more help is needed, Detroit can explore these three buyout targets before the playoffs begin over the next few weeks:
1. Kelly Olynyk
Following suspensions to Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren for their roles in a viral brawl against the Charlotte Hornets this past week, the Pistons could use some help in the frontcourt immediately. Kelly Olynyk is a veteran who can step in and help the cause now, while also providing the team a different look at the 5 once the Pistons' roster is back at full strength.
Olynyk could become the best shooter in Detroit's frontcourt if he can tap into the shooting touch that resulted in a 44 percent clip from beyond the arc during the 2024-25 season with the Toronto Raptors. Even after being traded to a downtrodden New Orleans Pelicans squad, he still shot above 38 percent from the 3-point line.
At 34, Olynyk probably only has a handful of years left at the professional level. While he struggled during his previous stint with the Pistons in 2021-22, that was with a rookie-year Cunningham running the show and Dwane Casey as head coach.
It could be different this time around. Olynyk needs a change of scenery, and Detroit is hurting for frontcourt depth.
A reunion is downright logical in 2026.
2. Jeremy Sochan
The Pistons may stumble into the perfect contract-year young gun who can earn a massive salary in 2026-27 and beyond if he makes the right choice with his next career move after Jeremy Sochan was granted a surprise release from the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.
Like Olynyk, Sochan isn't getting the most out of his game in Central Texas. The Spurs, though, are right on the Oklahoma City Thunder's tail and are within striking distance of the NBA's best overall record. Sochan, for many of the same reasons as Olynyk, would probably find a similar setup in his next job, with a young ascending superstar leading the way for a franchise that hasn't been relevant like this in over a decade.
It would've been nice for Detroit to have a guy like Sochan already in their locker room. Troy Weaver didn't exactly nail most of his drafts, though, outside of the one where Cunningham was waiting for him at No. 1. Those past mistakes could be corrected by Langdon adding a do-it-all wing who can help with the team's lack of ball-handlers behind Cade.
3. Khris Middleton
After being included in the Anthony Davis trade, Khris Middleton is reportedly sticking with the Dallas Mavericks. For now. Things could change quickly in the Metroplex, where losing has inspired two straight years of tearing things down.
If Middleton hits the open market to join a contender, a request that wouldn't be surprising to see at this stage of his career, a reunion with the team that drafted him could be the perfect next step in his attempt to win a ring. He's only two seasons removed from 15 points on a 49/38/83 shooting slash, after all, and every team, including these Pistons, can use perimeter shooting.
Middleton could be effective in Tobias Harris's role, but come playoff time, he could be someone relied upon for secondary shot-making. If hot, he can make Cunningham's life easier and help the team win games.
If the Mavs are willing to part with him and give him a shot to maximize his remaining chances at competing for a title, Middleton would be an ideal buyout option for Detroit this buyout season.