The Detroit Pistons are no longer just a feel-good story or a young team on the rise-they’re a legitimate force in the Eastern Conference. Sitting at 29-10 with a 4.5-game cushion at the top of the standings, Detroit has turned heads across the league. The question now is no longer if they’re good-it’s whether they’re ready to take the next step into true title contention.
That’s where a recent trade proposal comes into play. It’s a bold one, no doubt, but it’s the kind of move that could address a key need: adding another shot creator to ease the offensive burden on Cade Cunningham.
The name on the table? RJ Barrett.
In a proposed four-team deal, the Pistons would send out veteran forward Tobias Harris and a 2026 first-round pick in exchange for Barrett. On paper, it’s a hefty price.
Harris has been a steady presence, and first-round picks are always valuable, especially for a team still building its long-term foundation. But Barrett brings a skill set that could fill one of Detroit’s most glaring gaps.
At 25, Barrett has grown into a reliable scorer and secondary playmaker during his time in Toronto. He’s averaging 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while knocking down 1.8 threes per night.
Perhaps most encouraging is his improved efficiency: shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and 36 percent from deep. His free throw percentage remains a weak spot, but overall, Barrett has taken a clear step forward.
What makes Barrett especially intriguing for Detroit is his versatility. He’s shown he can thrive both on and off the ball-something that would mesh well with Cunningham’s all-around game.
Barrett is hitting 37.1 percent on catch-and-shoot threes, a sign he can space the floor when Cunningham is running the offense. But he’s also capable of initiating sets himself, giving the Pistons a much-needed secondary ball handler.
That dual-threat ability could be a game-changer come playoff time, when defenses key in on primary creators and force others to make plays. Barrett’s shown he can handle that responsibility, having played alongside other high-usage wings like Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram in Toronto. He doesn’t need to dominate the ball to be effective, which is critical in a system built around Cunningham’s decision-making.
Defensively, Barrett brings more to the table than he often gets credit for. According to Basketball Index, he ranks in the 87th percentile in off-ball chaser defense and 79th percentile in navigating ball screens-two areas where the Pistons could use a boost.
He’s also solid in one-on-one situations on the perimeter, grading out in the 56th percentile in isolation defense. That kind of effort and awareness fits well with the Pistons’ blue-collar identity.
Of course, there are risks. Barrett’s not a perfect player, and taking on the final two years of his contract means committing significant cap space to a guy who still has room to grow. But for a Pistons team that’s already shown it can win in the regular season, this is the kind of swing that could pay off in the postseason.
Detroit has a strong core, a rising MVP candidate in Cunningham, and a deep, balanced roster. What they don’t have-yet-is that second creator who can take over stretches of a game when defenses clamp down. Barrett might not be a superstar, but he could be the missing piece that helps push this team from contender to legitimate championship threat.
It’s a gamble, no doubt. But if the Pistons are serious about making a deep run this season, it might be one worth taking.