While the Detroit Pistons have been considering lesser trade targets ahead of next week's deadline, a chance for a franchise-changing deal has been dropped in the team's lap. ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania dropped the news on Wednesday that Giannis Antetokounmpo "is ready for a new home" and that the Milwaukee Bucks are "starting to listen" to offers.
Antetokounmpo's sudden availability puts the Pistons in an interesting position. While the Pistons currently hold the top seed in the conference, there is reason to wonder how the roster will hold up against a more battle-tested postseason roster, making it clear that there is every reason to chase Antetokounmpo in hopes of making a championship push.
Door Could Be Open for Pistons-Giannis Antetkounmpo Trade
Looking at the current roster construction, the Pistons aren't going to have a hard time offering enticing pieces or expiring salaries. Tobias Harris, Duncan Robinson, and Caris LeVert are all enticing options to include in a package for the Bucks star, as is popular trade bait name Jaden Ivey.
Robinson and LeVert are signed through 2027-28 and 2026-27, respectively, giving the Bucks potential long-term options if they're looking to stay competitive. Harris is decent for his age, too; however, his being on an expiring contract could be attractive if Milwaukee is looking to shed more money after moving on from Antetokounmpo.
As for Ivey, he'll be a restricted free agent, giving the Bucks the option to run things back if they believe they can unlock his potential next season.
Trading for Antetokounmpo would also be more than a temporary deal. He's under contract with a $58.4 million cap hit next season before he must decide on a $62.7 million player option ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, per Spotrac, meaning he could have a multi-year impact for the Pistons.
This isn't the first time the Pistons have been linked to Antetokounmpo, so there's a good chance that they'll be interested now that he's available. Adding the two-time NBA MVP won't change Detroit's defensive identity, while his offensive impact would take a lot of pressure off point guard Cade Cunningham.
Cunningham is averaging 25.3 points on .457/.326/.819 splits this season, as he's the only Piston surpassing the 20.0 PPG mark. Adding Antetokounmpo — who's still averaging a double-double (28.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG) in Year 13 — would be a huge boost, even more so if he benefits from Cunningham's league-leading 9.8 assists per game.
A trade for Antetokounmpo would solidify the Pistons as Eastern Conference favorites, offering a real chance to make an NBA Finals run. With how eager teams will be to contact the Bucks, the Pistons can't waste any more time as the Feb. 5 trade deadline quickly approaches.