After coming up empty in trades and the early part of free agency, the Detroit Pistons might have been eyeing the buyout market as a possible escape hatch. But two names that have hovered around that conversation - Zach LaVine and Jrue Holiday - now look far less likely to shake loose.
A recent report from The Stein Line (subscription) said the Kings have no interest in buying out LaVine, even though his name has been linked to the Pistons in past speculation. The same picture is emerging with Holiday, with the Trail Blazers making it clear that no buyout is imminent despite the logjam they suddenly have at the position.
On the surface, both players could make sense for Detroit. In reality, they’re probably the kind of buyout targets best left alone.
LaVine still fills up the box score when he’s healthy, and he could give the Pistons some of the ball handling and secondary scoring they didn’t land for Cade Cunningham this offseason. But the situation around him is messy.
The Kings have made it obvious he doesn’t fit into their long-term plans, yet LaVine opted in anyway, which makes sense when you consider he’s unlikely to ever see that kind of payday again. There’s little reason for him to walk away from that money, and it’s difficult to imagine Sacramento paying him $48 million just to leave.
If LaVine ever did become available on a minimum deal, there would be some appeal. Still, the warning signs are hard to ignore.
The injury concerns are obvious, his defense has never been a strength, and his career has never been defined by winning. He’s played in only four playoff games, and most of what he’s proven is that he can pile up numbers for a bad team in games that don’t matter much.
He also carries the stink of the Kings with him, and that’s rarely a good sign.
He wouldn’t be the worst fallback if Detroit got desperate, but the Pistons have no real reason to go there, especially when they don’t exactly need another shooting guard.
Holiday is a different kind of temptation. At age 36, he’d still bring a lot to the table as a ball handler, defender and 3-point shooter.
On paper, he fits. But the money complicates everything.
He still has a year left, plus a player option, which makes it tough to picture Portland’s cheapskate owner eating that salary just to let him walk.
And even if Holiday were bought out, Detroit would not be alone in the chase. He’d have plenty of suitors, and the Pistons probably wouldn’t be near the top of his list. A return to Philly or a shot at playing on a superteam would seem far more appealing.
For Detroit to land him, it would likely take more money or more years than makes sense, and that would only create new problems. The Pistons would have to clear out meaningful salary or swing a major trade to make room, and that’s a steep price for a player who might not be worth the squeeze.
Holiday still has trade value, unlike LaVine, which makes a buyout even less likely. Detroit would probably need to put together $34 million in matching salary to get him, and that’s basically out of reach right now.
So the most likely outcome is also the cleanest one for the Pistons: neither player gets bought out. Detroit can keep its assets intact and wait for better options, or for players who actually want to come to Detroit.
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