The Detroit Pistons have been one of the surprise stories of the season, surging to the top of the Eastern Conference despite a roster that, on paper, still has some glaring holes-chief among them: consistent outside shooting. And while the front office appears content to ride the current momentum into the second half of the season, the question looming over this team is whether standing pat might eventually stall their progress.
Let’s be clear-the Pistons don’t need to blow things up or chase a blockbuster deal. But there’s a very real opportunity here to make a smart, targeted move that could elevate this roster from “overachieving” to “legitimately dangerous.”
Right now, Duncan Robinson is the only player on the roster who truly bends defenses with his shooting. Opponents know it, and they’re defending accordingly.
When Cade Cunningham or any of Detroit’s creators drive the lane, help defenders are sagging off the weak side, daring the Pistons to beat them from deep. And outside of Robinson, there just isn’t a consistent enough threat to make them pay.
That’s where a trade deadline addition-something subtle but strategic-could make all the difference.
Think back to last season, when Detroit quietly added Dennis Schröder in a multi-team deal. That move didn’t make headlines, but it filled a very specific need: secondary ball-handling.
It was a low-cost, high-impact addition that helped stabilize the rotation. This year, the same logic applies-only this time, the focus should be on shooting.
A movement shooter-someone who can fly off screens, relocate, and keep defenses honest even without the ball in their hands-would be a perfect fit. Not only could that player share the floor with Robinson to stretch defenses even thinner, but they could also hold down the fort when Robinson sits.
That’s a crucial point, because the Pistons’ offense has taken a noticeable dip when he’s off the floor. We're talking about a double-digit drop in offensive rating, and that’s not something you can ignore heading into the postseason.
Now, Detroit does have other guards who can shoot, but they don't bring the same gravity or off-ball movement that Robinson does. And that’s the key-this isn’t just about hitting open threes.
It’s about creating space, forcing rotations, and making defenses work every second of the shot clock. A true movement shooter does all of that without needing the ball in their hands, which makes them a seamless addition to a team that’s already found a winning rhythm.
The beauty of this kind of move is that it doesn’t require the Pistons to mortgage their future or mess with their current chemistry. It’s not about fixing something that’s broken-it’s about reinforcing a strength and shoring up a weakness before it becomes a liability.
And if Detroit can find the right player-someone who can come in, run around screens, keep the floor spaced, and buy Robinson some rest without the offense falling apart-they’ll be in an even stronger position to make noise when the playoffs roll around.
The Pistons have already proven they can win with this group. But with the East as competitive as ever, a small, savvy move at the deadline could be the difference between a good season and a great one.