The Detroit Pistons desperately have to add more shooting this summer. Thanks to their cap flexibility, they could do that in free agency. But how good a player they can sign will depend on the new contracts for Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren. If those deals eat up most of their cap space, the Pistons may have to resort to the trade market to find a shooter.
Fortunately, the Pistons have some solid options there. Let's take a look at some of the sharpshooters expected to be on the trade block this summer.
Michael Porter Jr.
In terms of on-court fit, it's hard to find a better fit than Porter Jr. for the Pistons. Categorizing him as a shooter doesn't do him justice, as he has shown plenty of shot creation chops last season.
Harris has been great for the Pistons, but they have to find a long-term starting power forward. Adding one of the best shooting power forwards in the league would kill two birds with one stone.
Porter Jr. is entering the final year of his deal, so the Nets should be willing to trade him instead of giving him a long-term contract extension.
His $40.8 million salary complicates things, but the Pistons could get there with a trade package built around two of Caris LeVert, Duncan Robinson, and Isaiah Stewart. Add Ron Holland and a first-round pick, and that should be enough to bring the former NBA champion to Detroit.
Cam Johnson
The player who was traded for Michael Porter Jr. last offseason is also expected to be on the trade block this summer. Cam Johnson arrived in Denver to be a cheaper replacement for Porter Jr., but he struggled to provide them the same offensive production.
However, he still hit 43% of his three-point attempts. He can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim when needed, even though that part of his game was underutilized in Denver.
The Nuggets want to shed some salary in the offseason, and Johnson's $23 million expiring salary may be their best way to do so. If the Pistons don't want to give up a haul and bring in an expensive option like MPJ, Johnson would be an excellent addition.
Max Strus
The Cavaliers are also trying to shed salary as they are projected to be above the second apron next season. Strus and his $16.6 million expiring contract may be a good way for them to save a ton on luxury tax. The 30-year-old sharpshooter is also one of their most valuable players who can bring significant assets back.
Strus is also more than just a shooter. He showed his defensive chops against the Pistons in the second-round series, guarding Cade Cunningham, pressuring full court, and adding a ton on the boards. He is a solid all-around player without too many weaknesses in his game.
Having shot 38.9% from three in the last two seasons, Strus fills the most important need for the Pistons. His hard-nosed style also fits the Pistons' identity.
A decent first-round pick is likely needed to entice Cleveland to trade Strus to a fellow contender, but it would be a solid use of draft capital for the Pistons
Klay Thompson
The iconic Warriors sharpshooter is obviously not the player he once was. He wouldn't contribute as much as the previous names on this list, but if we are talking shooting, it's impossible to dismiss Klay Thompson as an option.
The 36-year-old shooting guard can't do much else on the court these days, but he can still shoot the lights out. During his two years in Dallas, he has averaged three made threes in less than 25 minutes per game on 38.7% accuracy. Very few players can get up as many threes as he can and convert at an elite clip.
Just adding Thompson to this core wouldn't be enough for the Pistons. They would have to make other moves to feel good about their offense, but Thompson could be a worthy addition. He only makes $17.4 million next season and could be acquired without giving up much.
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