The Detroit Pistons will surely be active in the trade market this offseason. After a disappointing exit in Round 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Pistons feel the pressure to build a championship-caliber roster around Cade Cunningham for next season and beyond. Using their draft capital, cap space, and young players, the Pistons will swing big for roster upgrades.
In this pursuit, Ron Holland ranks at the top of the list of most likely Pistons to be traded. Due to his status as a recent fifth-overall pick, age, upside, and his lack of a clear role on this team, Holland makes a lot of sense as a trade chip.
Ron Holland is firmly on the chopping block heading into the summer
Since the Pistons will try to be a contender next season, it's hard to see Holland having a consistent spot in the rotation. Especially because Detroit has Ausar Thompson and a non-shooting center in their best lineups, it's nearly impossible to find enough minutes for another offensive liability like Holland. On a team with Thompson, Holland becomes highly expendable.
Plus, Holland should have some suitors around the league. He is only 20 years old and has enough physical and athletic tools. He plays a premium position, and if he shows improvement, he can be a very valuable two-way forward. He is already a good defender and a solid transition player. If he can start doing more in half-court offense, he could be a solid rotation player for a long time.
It's just that the Pistons can't afford to be patient with Holland. They have more obvious needs like shooting and playmaking. And Holland's trade value is one of the best ways for them to acquire a player who can help fill these needs.
Moreover, Holland is due $9 million for next season. That, combined with Caris LeVert ($14.8 million), Isaiah Stewart ($15 million), or Duncan Robinson ($16.8 million), gets the Pistons to enough salary to acquire any true difference-maker on the trade block. They would obviously have to attach draft capital in these trades, but fortunately, the Pistons have all of their first-round picks going forward, as well as additional second-round picks into the future.
Holland, LeVert, Stewart, and Robinson are four of the most likely Pistons to be traded this summer. Since Holland has the most trade value but the least utility for Detroit, he is at the top of this list. It would be unexpected to see Holland return for another season in a Pistons uniform.
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