With the NBA trade deadline just days away, the Detroit Pistons find themselves at a crossroads. Sitting on a roster that’s shown flashes of promise but still lacks the firepower to consistently compete, Detroit is weighing its options - and the possibilities range from minor housekeeping to a major swing for a difference-maker on the wing.
According to Marc Stein, the Pistons have internally discussed potential moves for Brooklyn’s Michael Porter Jr. and Charlotte’s Miles Bridges. While there’s no confirmation that trade talks are active at this point, the interest signals a front office that’s at least considering a more aggressive stance as the deadline approaches.
Let’s break down what each player would bring to Detroit - and what it might cost to land them.
Michael Porter Jr.: The High-End Wing Scorer
If the Pistons are looking to make a splash, Porter Jr. fits the bill. At 6-foot-10 with a silky shooting stroke, he checks just about every box for a team desperate for size, spacing, and scoring on the perimeter. He’s hitting 39% of his threes this season on nearly 10 attempts per game - that’s elite volume and efficiency, especially for a player who can also create his own shot and stretch defenses vertically.
Porter’s playoff experience adds another layer of value, and his contract situation - under team control for one more season at $40 million - gives Detroit some runway to evaluate his long-term fit without needing to commit immediately. Yes, the price tag is steep, but so is the upside.
The Nets reportedly want “more than” a first-round pick to part with Porter. That’s a significant ask, but not unreasonable given his production and skill set. For the Pistons, the question becomes whether they’re ready to part with future assets to accelerate a rebuild that’s still in its early stages.
Miles Bridges: Versatility and Toughness
Bridges brings a different flavor to the table. He’s not the shooter Porter is, but he’s a physical, switchable forward who can play either the three or the four.
He’s also a capable self-creator and has shown flashes as a secondary playmaker. Prior to this season, he’d averaged over 20 points per game for three straight years with the Hornets, and even though he’s dipped slightly to 18.5 points this season, the drop has come in service of a more balanced offensive approach.
One of Bridges’ most underrated strengths is his ability to take care of the basketball. His career turnover rate sits at just 10%, and his 23.1% usage rate this season would rank second on the Pistons behind only Cade Cunningham. That kind of efficiency with the ball - especially from a forward who handles it as much as Bridges does - is rare and valuable.
Charlotte is reportedly seeking “at least one first-round pick” in return for Bridges. That’s a more palatable price point than what Brooklyn is asking for Porter, but Bridges also comes with a different set of strengths and weaknesses. The Pistons would be betting on his versatility and toughness rather than elite shooting.
Where Do the Pistons Stand?
League chatter suggests Detroit is unlikely to make a big splash before the deadline, and that lines up with what we’ve seen from the front office in recent years. But the team is playing better basketball lately, and it’s no secret that they need more shooting and scoring to take the next step.
Whether it’s carving out a roster spot for Daniss Jenkins or making a bold move for a top-tier wing, the Pistons have decisions to make. The trade deadline is less than a week away, and while the clock is ticking, the opportunity is there. If Detroit decides it’s time to get aggressive, Porter and Bridges represent two very different - but potentially impactful - paths forward.