The Detroit Pistons suffered a disappointing blowout loss in Game 7 to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite the 2025-26 season being a big success overall, the Pistons could have and should have gone further in these playoffs. This will force a ton of soul searching in Detroit and augur some changes.
What the Pistons need to do this offseason is obvious. Unlike the trade deadline, when they largely stood pat, Detroit has to aggressively pursue roster upgrades. The focus needs to be on two-way players who can shoot and create.
Fortunately for the Pistons, they have enough cap flexibility, assets, and draft capital to trade for true difference-makers. In these moves, Detroit will likely have to part ways with a few players. Let's take a look at departure candidates in the offseason.
Caris LeVert
The veteran combo guard had a down season before finding his groove in the playoffs. He had a few big moments in the postseason, but his first season was overall a disappointment, considering the expectations the Pistons had when they signed him to a two-year, $29 million deal.
LeVert's expiring contract of $14.8 million for next season will be the best way the Pistons can match salaries in a trade. He is overpaid, but since the 31-year-old can still help a team, his contract isn't too much of a negative. The Pistons can attach first-round picks to LeVert's deal to find a quality starter.
Ron Holland
Holland has yet to turn 21, and he clearly still has some upside. He is already an elite defender and has helped the Pistons with his intensity, hustle, and transition play.
However, the Pistons can't afford to be patient with Holland, given where they are as a franchise. Detroit needs to act like a contender, and Holland is too bad offensively to justify consistent playing time. Especially on a team that already has Ausar Thompson, there is little use for Holland.
Ahead of his third season in the NBA, Holland should still have decent trade value. Plus, he will make $9 million next season, which means that his salary could come in handy in a potential trade. A rebuilding team could certainly want to take a flier on Holland to see if they can develop his shot and offensive game.
The more exposed Holland will get as a Piston, the lower his trade value will be. So it behooves the Pistons to move on from him before his reputation as the fifth-overall pick wears off completely.
Kevin Huerter
The only trade deadline addition the Pistons made was Kevin Huerter. Moving on from Jaden Ivey, the Pistons brought in the veteran shooting guard. This trade hasn't worked out for the Pistons.
Huerter struggled with hitting shots early in his Pistons tenure. Just when he earned himself a role in the rotation down the stretch and in the playoffs, he suffered an adductor strain, which limited his effectiveness. Therefore, he was a non-contributor in the postseason, despite the Pistons desperately needing more offense.
If Huerter were still the same player from a couple of seasons ago, the Pistons could still have interest in keeping him for another season. Yet, it has been a while since the 27-year-old consistently made shots.
The former Atlanta Hawk is hitting unrestricted free agency this summer. The Pistons wouldn't be opposed to re-signing him for slightly above a minimum contract. But if there are suitors for Huerter elsewhere around the league, the Pistons should be fine letting him walk and sign another shooter in free agency.
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