The Detroit Pistons will leave no stone unturned this summer as they hope to upgrade their roster. Trying to take the next step into true title contention, the Pistons will pursue more offensive firepower. Whether it's a backcourt partner for Cade Cunningham or a knockdown shooter on the wing, Detroit will look to improve offensively.
One player who would be a fascinating fit in Detroit and will be part of trade rumors this summer is Kyrie Irving. The star guard is coming off an ACL tear and will be ready to start the season. However, the Dallas Mavericks have kick-started a rebuild while he was sidelined. At age 34, he doesn't have much of a future in Dallas, so the Mavs will listen to trade offers.
The Pistons are a natural landing spot. Not only do they have a desperate need for a player like Irving, but they also have the assets to acquire him. A combination of matching salary and a couple of future assets should get the deal done.
Kyrie Irving's excellent fit in Detroit is undeniable
Since Irving makes $39.4 million next season, the Pistons have to include a couple of players to match salaries in a deal. Ron Holland will be an obvious name to include as the rebuilding Mavs should have some interest in bringing him in. Then the rest of the package will likely have to include two of Caris LeVert, Isaiah Stewart, and Duncan Robinson. Given Robinson's importance to the team as the only elite shooter, LeVert and Stewart seem like the right choices.
The Pistons would also include a first-round pick. Giving up the No. 21 pick they have in this year's draft makes some sense, as the Pistons would prefer to add some veterans instead of rookies to this core. But if the Mavs would rather have another unprotected first-round pick in the future, the Pistons should be fine with that as well.
There is obviously some risk involved here for both sides. The Mavs may feel like they are selling too low on Irving. They may want to have him start the season and showcase that he is back to 100% before putting him on the trade block. However, there is no guarantee that he will boost his trade value in that scenario.
For the Pistons, acquiring a 34-year-old who has missed all of last season is not a no-brainer move. But the risk associated with the move is why Detroit is able to acquire Irving without giving up a haul. The Pistons can hold onto most of their future assets while still adding a high-upside star next to Cunningham.
If this doesn't work out for the Pistons, they can pivot without much trouble. Irving has one more year left on his deal before his player option for the 2027-28 season. The Pistons can see Irving's fit on the team for a season before making their decision about his future.
If this works out, however, the Pistons would have the most formidable backcourt duo in the league. Irving has thrived as the No. 2 option next to Luka Doncic in Dallas, and he would have a similar role in Detroit. His ability to create on the ball, while being an excellent off-ball option as an elite shooter, makes him the ideal fit for this Pistons team.
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