The Detroit Pistons are in the midst of an unexpectedly impressive season. After a 20-5 start that has them at the top of the Eastern Conference, the Pistons have their fans dreaming about a deep postseason run and a spot in the NBA Finals. Even though the Pistons have been the best team in the East so far, some believe that they still need to add another star to make them a true title contender.
It turns out, however, the front office doesn't agree with this sentiment. Hunter Patterson of The Athletic reported that the Pistons will be "opportunistic when weighing potential trade options but not aggressive in the market." He added that the team will prioritize internal growth and the organization is inclined to let the young players jell "before making moves that could disrupt chemistry."
Pistons Unlikely to Make a Blockbuster Trade This Season
Patterson adds the caveat that this approach could change between now and the Feb. 5 trade deadline, but this highlights a lack of desire to change things up from general manager Trajan Langdon & Co.
While that may be frustrating for some Pistons fans, this is an understandable approach. Pursuing the likes of Lauri Markkanen, Trey Murphy, or Jaren Jackson may be appealing, but it would also require parting ways with significant draft capital and valuable players. With the Pistons' championship window just having opened, being a little more patient and seeing what this group can do this year makes some sense.
This Pistons core tasted the postseason for the first time last year. It was a short-handed group as Isaiah Stewart and Jaden Ivey missed the playoffs with their respective injuries. With better health and a much-improved group, especially Jalen Duren, the Pistons should have better odds to make serious noise in the playoffs.
And it's not like the Pistons will stand pat entirely. Patterson gives the example of Dennis Schröder in his article, who Detroit acquired at the 2025 trade deadline. Targeting a veteran player like him to help in the second half of the season and the playoffs should still be in play.
The Pistons have the combination of draft capital, young players, and matching salary to be suitors for any veteran on the trade block. If that is the route the Pistons elect, adding a three-and-D wing, with the three part of the equation being more important, will likely be the top priority.