The Detroit Pistons are riding high at 17-4, sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings and turning heads across the league. It's been a breakout season in the Motor City, driven by the MVP-level rise of Cade Cunningham and the All-Star surge from Jalen Duren. But with success comes decisions - and for general manager Trajan Langdon, the next move could define the Pistons’ trajectory not just this season, but for years to come.
Cunningham has been nothing short of sensational, averaging 28.2 points and 9.3 assists per game - numbers that put him firmly in the MVP conversation. His growth as a scorer and facilitator has elevated Detroit's ceiling, while Duren’s 19.6 points and 11.8 rebounds per game have solidified him as one of the league’s premier young bigs. Together, they’ve formed the foundation of a team that’s not just winning - it’s dominating.
That success has sparked a fascinating debate within the Pistons’ front office: Should they stay the course with their young core, or swing big and go all-in for a title run?
One hypothetical deal making the rounds involves Detroit making a blockbuster move for James Harden. The proposed trade? Jaden Ivey, Tobias Harris, Marcus Sasser, and a 2026 first-round pick heading to the Clippers in exchange for the 36-year-old former MVP.
Now, let’s unpack that.
Harden may be in his 17th season, but he’s still putting up elite numbers - 26.9 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 36.9% from deep on nearly 10 attempts per night. That’s not just productive - that’s the kind of offensive firepower that can tilt a playoff series.
Pairing Harden with Cunningham would instantly give Detroit one of the most dynamic backcourts in the league. Sure, there’s some overlap in their playmaking styles, and yes, the Pistons would be giving up a lot of athleticism and youth by moving Ivey. But the vision here is clear: two elite creators sharing the floor, forcing defenses to pick their poison every possession.
Of course, this kind of move doesn’t come without risk. Ivey is just 23 and still developing.
Losing him - along with a valuable reserve in Sasser and the expiring contract of Harris - would be a tough pill to swallow. And that 2026 first-round pick?
That’s another piece of the future gone.
But the upside is tantalizing.
Detroit already owns the league’s second-best defensive rating at 110.6. Offensively, they’re solid but not elite, ranking 12th with a 116.2 rating. Adding Harden could be the move that vaults them into the top-10 on both ends - a benchmark most championship teams hit by season’s end.
This isn’t just about numbers, though. It’s about identity.
Are the Pistons ready to shift from promising upstart to full-blown contender? Because a move like this signals that the time is now.
Langdon has taken a measured approach so far, and rightfully so - this roster is young, talented, and ahead of schedule. But windows in the NBA don’t stay open forever. Sometimes, the right veteran at the right time can take a team from good to great.
If Detroit believes Harden is that piece, the decision becomes less about what they’re giving up and more about what they’re ready to become.