The Detroit Pistons kicked off their crucial offseason with three moves. First, they traded up in the NBA Draft to select Ebuka Okorie out of Stanford. Then, they traded Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies to create more cap room. Following this move, they gave up two second-round picks to acquire Isaiah Joe from the OKC Thunder.
Losing a fan favorite in Stewart obviously hurts. And the Pistons didn't add anyone too splashy as some fans may have been expecting. However, Detroit is presumably not done. They will look to add more talent, and with the arrival of Okorie and Joe, some veterans may have become expendable. Who could the Pistons move on from in their subsequent moves?
Duncan Robinson
Only $2 million of Robinson's $16 million deal for next season is guaranteed. If the Pistons need to create additional cap room for any move, letting Robinson walk could be an easy way to do so. Even if Detroit wanted to fully guarantee his salary for next season, Robinson could still be matching salary in a trade.
The 32-year-old sharpshooter played a huge role for the Pistons throughout the regular season and the playoffs. For a team that lacked elite shooters, Robinson was indispensable. It was the only way Detroit could survive offensively against top defensive teams.
At the same time, $16 million is a lot for a player with significant defensive concerns like Robinson. As good as he is offensively, he is a massive defensive liability. If Detroit wants to take the next step to being a contender, upgrading his spot may be needed.
Plus, the Pistons have Joe now. He is younger, cheaper, and defensively better. There is a chance Detroit sees him as a Robinson replacement, leading them to let the former Heat player walk.
Marcus Sasser
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto already reported that the Pistons have made Sasser available in trade talks. This is hardly surprising, as Sasser was already squeezed out of the rotation for most of last year. Now, the Pistons added Ebuka Okorie, an undersized player who plays the same position and has similar strengths and weaknesses.
With Daniss Jenkins also having emerged as a quality rotation player, there is simply not any room for Sasser. Heading into his fourth year in the NBA, Sasser has to get himself to a situation where he can play and earn a new contract. In this crowded Pistons backcourt, that is never going to happen in Detroit.
Using Sasser's $5.2 million salary, the Pistons could trade for a better fit, ideally in the frontcourt.
Caris LeVert
Another backcourt option who may find himself as the odd man out in Detroit is Caris LeVert. The combo guard will turn 32 before next season and is due $14.8 million next season. He was nowhere near that level as a contributor last season.
However, since LeVert's contract is expiring next summer, he is not untradeable. There will be teams willing to take him on, especially since he is a solid vet and locker room presence. It's just that the Pistons can't overpay a player to that extent while they are trying to contend for a title.
If the Pistons are trading for a starter, it's safe to assume that LeVert will be in that deal. A trade package consisting of LeVert, Robinson, and Sasser would get the matching salary around $35 million, allowing Detroit to trade for most starters in the league.
Whether all three will get traded and how much draft capital the front office will be willing to give up remains to be seen, but they are certainly the most likely Pistons to be moved over the next week or so.
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