The Detroit Pistons have made an effort to revamp the roster this summer. After a disappointing second-round loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Pistons have been aggressive all offseason to improve their roster.
The depth chart certainly looks different, but whether the Pistons are indeed a better team than they were last season is up for debate. This should put pressure on GM Trajan Langdon and the front office to pursue more upgrades.
Given the dwindling options on the free agent market, it behooves the Pistons to turn to the trade market to find these upgrades.
Caris LeVert has become the most expendable player on the Pistons
In any potential trade, who the Pistons have to send out is rather obvious. After Detroit's offseason moves, Caris LeVert has become even more expendable than he already was. With the additions of Ebuka Okorie and Isaiah Joe, it's difficult to imagine LeVert having much of a role in the rotation next season.
More importantly, LeVert's contract makes him the most likely trade candidate. The veteran shooting guard will turn 32 before the season and is on an expiring contract worth $14.8 million.
This is as ideal a trade chip as it gets.
Any team looking to create cap space for next summer would have some interest in taking back LeVert's contract. They would have to be compensated, of course, but a trade package consisting of LeVert and draft capital should put Detroit on the negotiating table for a lot of rotation-caliber players.
It's not like LeVert is totally dead salary. He was an important part of the rotation for one of the best teams in the league during the regular season. He is not the same offensive player as he was earlier in his career, but he is still a solid ballhandler. He is also a much-improved defensive player now. He may be overpaid at $14.8, but LeVert could still help a team.
Given the crowded Pistons backcourt, it wouldn't be wise for Detroit to burn $14.8 million on LeVert, who is at best the tenth man on the depth chart. That is not the smartest allocation of resources.
The Pistons could even add Ron Holland or Kevin Huerter to acquire a higher-salaried player in a trade. How good a player Detroit can get back will depend on how many first-round picks they are willing to trade.
Trey Murphy remains an option and has been on the Pistons' list of trade targets all summer. In any deal for him, one has to assume that LeVert will be included. There are names like Max Strus, Cam Johnson, and PJ Washington who are considered to be on the trade block and could be good fits in Detroit.
Regardless of who the eventual acquisition is, LeVert will likely be the matching salary in the trade.
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