When the Pistons signed Kevin Huerter, the move raised some eyebrows. Detroit handed him $9 million a year even though no one else seemed willing to go there, and at the time it looked like the kind of swing that could land anywhere on the value spectrum.
That gamble is looking a lot better now. Huerter has been productive on both ends, and his 3-point shot appears to be coming back around. What once looked like a questionable contract is starting to resemble a useful one.
There was also a practical reason Detroit might have wanted that deal on the books: trade flexibility. The Pistons don’t have many sizable contracts to combine if they decide to chase a bigger move, and Huerter’s salary gives them another $9 million to work with.
Even so, he may be too useful to be the one they move.
Huerter’s name has already shown up in fake trade ideas, including a recent one involving Naz Reid. He is not untouchable, and if Detroit had to include him to land an upgrade, that would not be a dealbreaker. But right now, he looks more like the kind of player the Pistons would prefer to keep.
If the team needs more salary matching, Isaiah Joe or even Ron Holland could be the names to watch instead. Joe has barely played because of injury, so this is less about his value overall and more about how Huerter stacks up.
And Huerter has the edge in plenty of areas. Joe is the better high-volume 3-point shooter, but Huerter brings more across the board.
He can handle the ball without giving it away much, which matters for a Pistons team that needs that kind of stability. He also creates enough shooting gravity to move defenses and knows how to get to his spots.
On top of that, Huerter has the better size and has been the stronger defender. That part has stood out this season. He’s averaging a block and a steal per game, and he looks committed to being a disruptive presence.
Joe, Huerter and Ron Holland all make roughly the same money, so if Detroit has to use one of those contracts in a deal, Huerter may not be the one they sacrifice. That could still change as the season unfolds, and Joe hasn’t really had the chance to show what he can do for this team yet. But for now, Huerter’s all-around game gives him the advantage.
In Other News...
Daniss Jenkins Is Giving The Pistons A Tough New Decision
Daniss Jenkins has turned a strong start into one of the more interesting roster questions facing Detroit. The guard has given the Pistons steady production, averaging 12.7 points, 4.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds while knocking down 43 percent of his 3-point attempts, and that kind of early impact tends to get noticed quickly in a league that is always looking for useful backcourt pieces.
The tricky part is what comes next. Jenkins is headed toward restricted free agency at seasons end, which gives Detroit control, but not necessarily an easy path to keeping him if the market gets involved or the cap picture tightens. The Pistons also have to weigh the progress of rookie Ebuka Okorie and the contract situation of Paul Reed, which means Jenkins rise may be forcing the front office to think several moves ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Already Have One Early Reason To Feel Better About Collins
The Pistons decision to swap Tobias Harris out and John Collins in at power forward already looks easier to understand in early-season context. Harris, now 34, still has not played this season because of a calf strain, and it has only sharpened the questions that were already hanging over his durability as Detroit weighed its options in free agency.
Collins was never just about talent for the Pistons, either. The appeal was always tied to his availability and the flexibility of his contract, even with the age concern that comes with adding another veteran. For a team trying to stabilize that spot, simply having a player on the floor has been a useful early reminder of why Detroit made the move. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Suddenly Face A Trade Deadline Decision Fans Can't Ignore
Detroits strong 7-3 start has changed the conversation around the franchise in a hurry. With a healthy stash of draft capital and expiring contracts in hand, the Pistons are in position to be more than patient observers ahead of the Feb. 11 trade deadline. They have put themselves in the mix in the Eastern Conference, and the front office now has to weigh whether to keep building organically or use those assets to accelerate the timeline.
The need is fairly clear: secondary scoring and frontcourt depth would both help a team trying to keep pace with Boston and Philadelphia. Names such as John Collins, Duncan Robinson and Naz Reid have already surfaced as possible fits, which tells you the market is starting to take shape around Detroits needs. The bigger question is how aggressive the Pistons want to be, because the right move could help them chase the top of the standings, while the wrong one could cost them the flexibility that got them here. [Read more 🡒]