Pistons shift priorities, predicted to be ‘more protective’ ahead of NBA trade deadline

After finishing in the bottom three of the Eastern Conference for each of the last five seasons, the Detroit Pistons were expected to be bad once again heading into the 2024-25 NBA season.

Cade Cunningham was predicted to take a slight leap, but he is in contention for an All-NBA nod and has led the Pistons to 21-19, with the playoffs very much within reach.

Detroit waived backup center Paul Reed in December before signing him to a restructured deal, which opened up roughly $15 million in cap space.

Heading into the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline, the Pistons were expected to take on bad contracts in exchange for draft picks and continue their rebuild under first-year general manager Trajan Langdon.

Instead, Detroit is 7-1 in the calendar year and could make a move to cement their status as a playoff team. 

After being predicted to sell and pump the breaks earlier in the season, one league insider thinks their strategy will shift. 

“While I do think they’re going to be taking calls, from what I have gleaned from talking to people around the league, their thought process has changed a little bit,” explained Brian Windhorst on ESPN on Tuesday. “They might be a little more protective of that space. They actually have the ability to improve that roster if they want…the Pistons have entered the chat in this NBA season.”

Isaiah Stewart, Simone Fontecchio, Marcus Sasser and Wendell Moore Jr. could all be used to land a talented player.

With draft picks and salary room, the Pistons could be in the mix for Cameron Johnson, Jimmy Butler or even Brandon Ingram as the deadline approaches. 

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