The Detroit Pistons own a comfortable lead in the Eastern Conference race as the 2025-26 NBA trade deadline approaches. It may be counterintuitive to argue that they need to make moves before the deadline; however, the Pistons have an excellent opportunity to go from regular-season juggernauts to surefire title contenders.
A few savvy moves at the deadline by general manager Trajan Langdon could help get the Pistons there. What should the front office prioritize in their dealings between now and Thursday's deadline? Let's look at Detroit's four most pressing needs.
4 Biggest Pistons Trade Deadline Needs
1. Add More Shooting
The Pistons take the third-fewest threes in the league and shoot a poor percentage (34.8%) in those attempts. They simply play too many non-shooters. Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland are as bad shooters as any perimeter player in the league. Isaiah Stewart rarely takes threes, and Jalen Duren is not an outside threat. Any combination of those players on the court together creates serious spacing issues.
It's not like the rest of the rotation is full of elite shooters. Caris LeVert and Javonte Green are fine, but they don't take too many threes. Jaden Ivey has improved, but he is not consistent from downtown. The only player who makes more than two threes per game in the rotation is Duncan Robinson. In fact, the Pistons don't have anyone in their rotation who makes 40% or better from three.
This puts a serious cap on Detroit's offense. Having more shooting around Cade Cunningham will elevate his individual efficiency, which in turn will boost the Pistons' overall offense. Detroit is 15th in offensive rating since the new year, and that is not good enough to feel good about their chances to win it all. The best way to fix it is by adding more shooting.
2. Find More Power Forward Depth
The Pistons don't have reliable power forward play behind Tobias Harris. The 33-year-old is playing admirably on both ends of the floor, but the Pistons have to depend too much on Harris because of a lack of adequate options.
Harris ends up defending a ton of high-end offensive players and big wings. He can hold his own, but he can be overmatched in that role. When he struggles, the Pistons use Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland in wing-stopper roles, creating negative ripple effects offensively. Harris is the only forward resembling a three-and-D skillset on the team.
It behooves the Pistons front office to change that and add another competent power forward who can shoot, defend, and rebound at a passable level.
3. Trade Jaden Ivey
On paper, this may seem like less of a priority, at least for the current season. Jaden Ivey has been contributing off the bench and has been doing a decent job in his role.
Ivey's role, however, has been too small to justify keeping him. To set themselves up better for the future, the Pistons have to make the tough call and trade Ivey.
The 23-year-old struggles to find notable playing opportunities, only playing more than 21 minutes in a game once this season. He is averaging a career-low usage rate and is relatively redundant, especially after the emergence of Daniss Jenkins and the arrival of Caris LeVert.
Ivey is a restricted free agent this summer. The Pistons will find it hard to match a lucrative, multi-year deal for him in the offseason. While he has some trade value and can bring back assets in return, the Pistons must trade him instead of risking losing him for nothing.
4- Sign Daniss Jenkins to a Guaranteed Contract
The Pistons reportedly offered two-way contract standout Daniss Jenkins a new two-year contract, but the 24-year-old guard turned it down, per The Stein Line. It's understandable why Jenkins thought he deserved better than a minimum contract after emerging as a true rotation-caliber player. While the Pistons and Jenkins are still expected to agree on a new deal, Detroit is running out of time.
First, the Pistons have to create a roster spot, ideally by a trade. Isaac Jones or Bobi Klintman seems like the most obvious candidates. Only then can they sign Jenkins to a guaranteed deal.
Jenkins has only one more game left before his NBA eligibility expires as a two-way player. If they don't agree on a new contract, the dynamic guard isn't allowed to play for the Pistons until the end of the season and in the playoffs. This should be one of the top trade deadline priorities for Detroit.