The Detroit Pistons are entering the 2025-26 season with increased expectations. They are no longer the young, fun, scrappy team that will take opponents by surprise. Now, they have real aspirations of making a deep postseason run in the Eastern Conference. At the same time, they have to keep their future in mind since they are a young team with a bright future. Every move they make from now on has to both make the team better in the present without sacrificing too much in the future.
Going forward, the most obvious need for the Pistons will be finding a long-term replacement for Tobias Harris. The veteran forward has played well above expectations last year, giving the Pistons valuable two-way play. Just like last season, the team doesn't have another modern power forward in the mold of Harris, making them overly reliant on the 33-year-old. That is why one of their top priorities should be finding a starting-caliber power forward of the future.
Enter Keegan Murray and the Sacramento Kings. The 25-year-old power forward is exactly what the Pistons need in the position. He fits Detroit's timeline, can shoot the ball, and defends. He is a prototypical three-and-D forward who doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective. His defensive versatility and the ability to guard multiple positions would be a perfect fit in head coach J.B. Bickerstaff's system.
Pistons Acquire Kings' Keegan Murray in Projected Trade
To acquire Murray, the Pistons would need to part ways with at least two first-round picks, probably unprotected. Duncan Robinson or Caris LeVert would be the matching salary. Murray would immediately help the Pistons on both ends of the floor. Not only would he be one of the best three-point shooters on the team, providing valuable spacing, but he would also be an upgrade over Harris defensively, as well.
In 76 starts with the Kings last season, Murray averaged 12.4 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 44.4% from the floor and 34.3% from deep.
The Kings could be open to this type of construction because Murray is on an expiring deal. Entering his fourth season in Sacramento, Murray has yet to sign an extension. The Kings are far from a relevant contender in the Western Conference, and instead of paying Murray over $25 million in annual average salary, they could prefer having multiple first-round picks.
While the Kings are the least predictable NBA organization, teams that have done business with them have generally been happy with the end result. Most franchises would likely not trade their best young player with upside, but the Kings are not like most franchises. If the Pistons bowl them over with a strong offer, Sacramento could certainly part ways with Murray.