The Detroit Pistons are still hoping to re-sign Jalen Duren, but they should be done with most of their offseason otherwise. They didn't make the splashy moves fans were hoping for, but they still made some key additions like John Collins and Isaiah Joe. The hope is that this will give them enough of a boost offensively to help them get over the hump in the playoffs.
This doesn't mean that the Pistons are completely done. In fact, since they currently don't have an open roster spot, there will be at least one departure once Duren is re-signed. There could be even more departures given the fact that the Pistons have a couple of veterans who are expected to be out of the rotation. Trading a couple of these players remains a possibility.
Gary Harris
The Pistons acquired Harris in the Caris LeVert trade, but they have little use for the 31-year-old shooting guard. Taking him back was more about making the trade work legally rather than wanting Harris on the roster.
It's difficult to see how Harris cracks the rotation behind Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Joe, and Kevin Huerter. He has the reputation as a competent veteran and is only on a veteran's minimum deal, making $3.8 million. So, there could be a team willing to take him in. If there isn't, he is a cut candidate between now and the start of the season.
Taurean Prince
Prince arrived in Detroit from Milwaukee in the same LeVert trade. He is in a similar situation to Harris and has the same contract. But he has been better than Harris in recent years.
The 32-year-old small forward shot over 40% from three in each of the last two seasons. He doesn't do much else offensively, but he can hold his own on defense. He has the positional size and versatility, so he could help a team.
Whether he can help the Pistons, however, is a different question. Detroit has enough offensively limited players. With Joe and Robinson on the roster, Prince's shooting is not desperately needed.
If there is a team interested in Prince, the Pistons could attach draft capital and bring back a better player. The issue here is that the Pistons can't aggregate his contract with another player, as he just arrived this summer. This means that they will be limited to the $5.2 million trade exception from the Marcus Sasser deal or the $15 million trade exception from the Isaiah Stewart deal to bring in that player.
Chaz Lanier
Lanier showed flashes in the Summer League. He was red-hot in Las Vegas, making over 50% of his attempts from downtown. He has the potential to be an elite shooter, but doesn't do anything else on either end of the floor.
That may be good enough for the Pistons. An emergency backup who makes $2.1 million next season and can shoot the lights out may be worth keeping around.
If there is interest in him around the league, however, it wouldn't be a bad idea for the Pistons to engage in trade talks. Lanier could be used to bring back future assets and open up a roster spot. Or, he could be the main asset going the other way in a deal that brings back a capable veteran for the Pistons.
Given that he is unlikely to be in the rotation to start the season, if Lanier has positive trade value around the NBA, it may be wise for the Pistons to think about moving him.
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