Anthony Davis keeps popping up in trade talk, but the Pistons are one team where the fit just doesn’t hold up.
That was the gist of a recent pitch from analyst Sam Vecenie on the Game Theory podcast, where Davis was floated to Detroit in a mock deal. On paper, it sounds like the kind of swing that gets attention. In reality, it runs straight into everything the Pistons have built around.
The biggest issue is the center spot. A move for Davis would only really work if Detroit decided to move on from Jalen Duren, and so far there’s no sign the team is heading that way.
Even if the Pistons were open to that, Davis brings his own problems. His availability has become the story, and the on-court production hasn’t been enough to make the risk feel worthwhile.
Since being traded to the Mavericks in early 2025, Davis has played only 29 games and averaged 20 points per game. That’s not nothing, but it’s also not the kind of impact that erases concerns or changes the direction of a roster by itself. He still carries the reputation of a star, but at this stage he wouldn’t automatically ease the load on Cade Cunningham if he landed in Detroit.
The shooting is another problem. Davis hit just 25% of his 3-point attempts with the Mavs, which is a tough number to swallow for a player whose value would be tied to sharing the floor with another big. That kind of perimeter shooting makes it hard to imagine him working anywhere other than center, and that brings the conversation right back to Duren.
There is at least a theoretical offensive upside. Davis would offer more scoring variety around the basket than Duren because of his ball-handling and floater game.
But even that comes with a catch. His playoff scoring has gone up and down because he depends heavily on guards to put him in good spots, and that means Cunningham would still be doing plenty of the setup work.
Then there’s the money, which may be the biggest reason this idea never gets off the ground. Detroit has already been reluctant to go too far in talks with Duren, with discussions centered around a five-year deal in the range of $180 million to $200 million total.
Davis makes that look tame by comparison. He’s owed $58 million this season and will likely pick up his player option for $62 million next season.
Yes, that’s only a two-year commitment. But the size of the contract would be brutal for Detroit, and getting a cap-legal deal done would likely mean stripping the roster down just to add an expensive, injury-prone player. For a front office that has spent the last two years showing restraint, this kind of move doesn’t fit the profile at all.
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Detroits willingness to listen on the market has added another layer to the story. The Pistons have already declined at least one trade framework involving Domantas Sabonis, a sign they are not eager to rush into a move just to resolve the tension. So the franchise is left balancing patience, leverage and the need to protect its future, while Durens next step remains unresolved and the bigger question of how he fits into the long-term picture is still hanging over the team. [Read more 🡒]
Cade Cunningham Is Chasing The Missing Piece Detroit Still Needs
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The Pistons, meanwhile, are still looking for more offensive help after re-evaluating the roster in the wake of last seasons playoff run. Cunninghams conditioning push fits that bigger picture, because Detroit needs its lead guard to stay effective when games tighten up late and possessions get heavier in the fourth quarter, even as the front office continues weighing what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Need More From Ausar Thompson Than Theyre Getting
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Thompsons next step is less about style than urgency. The Pistons already know his defense and versatility can help, but they need a better read on what he can do when hes asked to create a little more offense, especially next season. If he stays in the same lane, Detroit may never get the full answer on how much pressure he can handle or how much he can add to the teams ceiling. [Read more 🡒]