Some Pistons fans may scoff at the idea of Detroit going all-in for Giannis Antetokounmpo since the team has been the best in the Eastern Conference all season. The argument that the Pistons need to be patient and see how far this group can go this season is certainly valid.
On the other side of this argument, however, there is an equally valid one. The Eastern Conference is as weak as it's ever going to be, and this may be Detroit's best chance to win it. Why not put your chips in and get yourself closer to the Oklahoma City Thunder in terms of championship equity?
Antetokounmpo is officially on the trade block, and his chances of getting traded over the next week are as high as they have ever been. While the Pistons haven't emerged as a serious candidate yet, they have more assets than almost any team in the league and could easily get a deal done right away. But what would a trade for the Greek Freak look like for the Pistons?
The starting point would be at least three first-round picks. Detroit can trade up to four by including 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032, but the Bucks may not be too interested in the 2026 pick, since it's likely to be one of the last two selections of the first round. In addition to three first-round picks, the Pistons can also include swap rights for the picks in the intervening years.
For a matching salary, Tobias Harris has to be included. Jaden Ivey's $10.1 million expiring salary is also the most likely trade chip in any potential deal. The Bucks will presumably push for Ausar Thompson or Ron Holland as their high-upside blue-chip prospect. As long as it's not both of them, the Pistons should be willing to give up one of their talented young wings.
To make it more appealing for the Pistons and make the roster spots work, Gary Trent Jr. could also head to Detroit as another quality shooter. After replacing Harris with Antetokounmpo in the starting lineup, the Pistons will need as much shooting as possible.
This will serve as the framework of any potential Antetokounmpo-to-Pistons trade. There could be a few changes, of course. The Bucks will want to offload Kyle Kuzma's bad contract, and the Pistons may have to include Duncan Robinson or Caris LeVert in that case. There could be more second-round picks involved, as well.
As long as the Pistons don't give up all of their valuable trade assets, this is a deal worth considering. If they can keep one of their first-round picks, most of their swap rights, and one of either Thompson or Holland, the Pistons should pursue Antetokounmpo. They would have to get reassurances from the 31-year-old power forward that he would sign an extension in Detroit. If he's serious about trying to win another championship, though, it's hard to imagine him finding a better landing spot.