The Detroit Pistons were quiet on Night 1 of the 2025 NBA draft as they didn't have a pick in the opening round. The action around the Motor City is set to increase, though, as the Pistons still hold this year's 37th overall selection, and that's without mentioning the changes that potential summertime trades and free-agent signings could bring to Detroit.
With only about $19 million in cap space and the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to work with in free agency, turning to the trade market is likely the Pistons' best bet for help. Fortunately, the perfect trade target could be available if general manager Trajan Langdon plays his cards right.
Pistons Have Chance to Trade for Jazz G Collin Sexton After NBA Draft
The Pistons could be in dire need of frontcourt help depending on which of the pending free-agent guards Dennis Schroder, Malik Beasley, and Tim Hardaway Jr. stay or go next week. If Detroit wants to upgrade any of those names with a younger, more talented option, Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton is a no-brainer trade target.
Sexton, 26, is heading into the final season of the four-year, $72 million contract he signed with the Jazz after being traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2022. Although some Utah fans might want to see him given another contract, the Jazz might be ready to cut ties if they're already certain he isn't interested in putting pen to paper — especially after they went 17-65 last season.
Assuming that's the case and the Jazz are open to a deal, the Pistons must pounce on this opportunity immediately. A seven-year veteran with over 400 games of experience, Sexton is coming off a solid 2024-25 performance that saw him average 18.4 points, 4.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and .480/.406/.865 splits in 63 games with Utah.
Sexton has experience playing both guard positions, meaning he could play alongside Cade Cunningham or take over facilitating duties when the latter is off the floor. The fact that the former Alabama product won't turn 27 years old until January means he's young enough to grow alongside the Pistons' core if they believe he has a long-term future in the Motor City.
Sexton will carry an $18.9 million cap hit in the final year of his contract, which a digestible number for the Pistons. Detroit can use Jaden Ivey ($10.1 million) and Simone Fontecchio ($8.3 million) to match Sexton's salary. With Ivey's latest season marred by injuries and Fontecchio taking a step back last year, both veterans could be trade chips this summer. Throw in a future draft pick or two, and the Pistons could have a deal.
Teams can't reach contender status without taking a risk or two. Trading for Sexton is far from a sure-fire thing, but it's a deal that would help the Pistons take that next step towards chasing an NBA title. That alone makes any risk worth the potential rewards.