NBA Trade Season Opens: What’s Next for the First-Place Detroit Pistons?
December 15 isn’t circled on the NBA calendar in bold ink, but make no mistake-this is when trade season truly begins. It’s the first day that players signed over the summer become eligible to be moved, which opens the floodgates for front offices across the league. For the Detroit Pistons, that includes names like Duncan Robinson, Caris LeVert, and Javonte Green.
But here’s the twist: Detroit isn’t in desperation mode. Far from it.
At 20-5, they sit atop the Eastern Conference standings, playing confident, connected basketball. So while other teams may be scrambling to tweak their rosters or chase stars, the Pistons have the rare luxury of patience.
Still, the trade deadline looms, and with it come some big-picture decisions that could shape the trajectory of this franchise.
Will the Pistons Swing Big at the Deadline?
Right now, the signs point toward a cautious approach. New president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon has shown no appetite for breaking up his young core-and it’s hard to blame him.
This team has been progressing steadily, even without seeing its full potential. Jaden Ivey, for example, is still working his way back into rhythm off the bench. Langdon is clearly taking the long view, and that means resisting the urge to chase every shiny name that hits the rumor mill.
Yes, the Pistons have been loosely linked to several “available” stars. But many of those players aren’t truly on the market, and Detroit seems more focused on building something sustainable than going all-in on a splashy move.
The results so far? Hard to argue with.
First place in the East says a lot.
Could that change by February? Sure. But as of now, the Pistons are leaning into what’s working.
Depth vs. Consolidation: How Will Detroit Handle Its Rotation?
Coach JB Bickerstaff has been rolling deep-11-man rotations, sometimes even stretching to all 13 guys like we saw in the blowout win over Atlanta. That kind of depth is a luxury during the grind of the regular season.
But come playoff time, rotations tighten. That’s just the nature of postseason basketball.
So the question becomes: Will Langdon look to consolidate some of that depth into a more defined rotation piece?
Names like Keon Ellis and Jose Alvarado have been floated as potential additions. They’re not headline-makers, but they’re culture fits-gritty, smart, and capable of contributing without disrupting the team’s identity. Moves like that wouldn’t shake the foundation, but they could sharpen the edges.
A blockbuster deal might be unlikely, but a smaller move to add another shooter or secondary ball handler? That’s definitely on the table.
The Expiring Contract Dilemma: What Happens with Tobias Harris?
Tobias Harris is the big name here, and not just because of his on-court contributions. His $26 million expiring contract makes him a key piece in any potential trade for a high-salary player. If Detroit does pursue a bigger deal, Harris would almost certainly be involved for salary-matching purposes.
But if no such deal materializes, the Pistons face a tough choice: let him walk in free agency or try to bring him back on a smaller deal.
Harris has been a valuable veteran presence for this young roster. He knows the city, he knows the franchise, and he fits what Detroit is trying to build. Losing him for nothing would sting, but he might be more valuable to the Pistons on the court than he is as a trade chip.
The Jaden Ivey Question: Trade or Trust?
This is the trickiest situation of them all.
Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren are both set to become restricted free agents after the season. Duren’s a no-brainer-he’s staying.
But Ivey? That’s a more complicated call.
There’s no denying his talent or potential. But with his role still in flux and his minutes inconsistent, it’s fair to wonder how he fits into Detroit’s long-term plans. If the Pistons aren’t convinced he’s part of their future core, they could explore moving him before the deadline to avoid a messy restricted free agency scenario.
Remember, restricted free agency can get dicey. Detroit would have the right to match any offer, but if a team comes in with a big number and a promise of a larger role, it could force the Pistons into an uncomfortable position.
Bottom line: You can’t lose a top-five pick for nothing. Langdon will have to tread carefully here, and this decision may not come until the final hours before the deadline.
What’s Next?
The Pistons are in a unique spot-contenders with flexibility, youth, and depth. That’s not a combination we see often. They don’t need to make a move, but they have the tools to do so if the right opportunity arises.
Whether it’s a fringe upgrade, a strategic consolidation, or a tough call on Ivey or Harris, the next two months will tell us a lot about how Detroit sees its future. For now, they’ve earned the right to be patient. But come February, the clock will be ticking.