The Detroit Pistons have been in offseason mode ever since they were eliminated by the New York Knicks in the 2024-25 NBA playoffs' opening round. It's going to be a busy summer in the Motor City as the Pistons have plenty of decisions to make regarding pending unrestricted free agents like Tim Hardaway Jr.
Hardaway's future in Detroit is uncertain, to say the least. After a solid regular-season performance, the veteran shooter averaged a forgettable 12.0 points on .338/.308/.800 splits in his six postseason starts, potentially leaving the Pistons less motivated to bring him back when he becomes a UFA in July.
Although some fans will be sad to see him go, Hardaway's departure might be necessary for the Pistons to improve. With that in mind, the pain brought by his leaving town would be quickly erased by Detroit bringing in the perfect upgrade
Pistons Must Replace Tim Hardaway Jr. With CJ McCollum This Offseason
After finishing 14th in the Western Conference with a 21-61 record, no one would be shocked if the New Orleans Pelicans blew up their roster this offseason. Assuming that's the case, veteran guard CJ McCollum would be the perfect trade target for the Pistons to replace Hardaway.
McCollum, 33, is a battle-proven backcourt leader who's played 787 games across 12 seasons for the Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers. The former Lehigh product has averaged 19.6 points, 3.8 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and .453/.397/.799 shooting splits throughout that stretch, and hasn't averaged fewer than 20.0 PPG since the 2014-15 season.
Even though he isn't as dominant or healthy as he was during his Portland days, McCollum is still more than good enough to help take the Pistons' attack to the next level. He just averaged 21.1 points while shooting 44.4% from the floor and 37.3% from deep in 56 starts with the Pelicans this season, featuring 11 appearances with 30-plus points.
McCollum is also a better playoff performer than Hardaway, proven by the chart below comparing the duo's postseason numbers:
Playoff Stats | CJ McCollum | Tim Hardaway Jr. |
|---|---|---|
Games played/started | 67/57 | 48/25 |
Points | 20.1 | 9.5 |
Rebounds | 4.4 | 2.6 |
Assists | 3.1 | 1.0 |
FG% | 43.3% | 40.9% |
3P% | 36.8% | 37.2% |
It's hard not to love the idea of McCollum opening the 2025-26 alongside Cade Cunningham in the backcourt. The Pistons can also use the Canton, OH native as Cunningham's primary backup if Dennis Schroder also leaves, considering how McCollum has experience playing both guard positions.
McCollum's $30.6 million cap hit next season is the biggest obstacle in a trade, but that doesn't mean a deal is impossible. The Pistons can include the likes of Hardaway, Schroder, or even Malik Beasley in a sign-and-trade deal, and that's without mentioning how Tobias Harris' $26.6 million cap hit is another trade chip they have in their arsenal.
With the Pelicans potentially desperate to shed McCollum's cap hit, the Pistons might only need to add in a second-round pick or two to get a deal done.
McCollum's presence alone wouldn't vault the Pistons into the title conversation, but he's enough of an improvement over Hardaway to improve Detroit's odds of a deep postseason run. Contenders can't be created without taking risks, and rolling the dice on McCollum would help management show Pistons fans that the new era of basketball in the Motor City is for real.