If you’re looking for a bold, headline-grabbing move at the trade deadline, it doesn’t get much splashier than the idea of Kyrie Irving landing in Detroit. The Pistons are in clear need of another ball handler and a serious boost from beyond the arc-two areas where Irving, when healthy, can still be one of the most impactful players in the league.
On paper, it’s a tantalizing fit. Kyrie’s elite handle, shot creation, and playoff pedigree would instantly take pressure off Cade Cunningham, who’s been carrying a heavy load as Detroit’s primary initiator.
Irving’s ability to play off another high-usage creator is well documented-he’s thrived alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić, two of the most ball-dominant stars of this era. And let’s not forget: this is a guy who’s hit one of the biggest shots in NBA history, sealing the 2016 championship for Cleveland.
Irving’s contract situation adds another layer of intrigue. He’s on a short-term deal, with just two years left after this season-and the final year is a player option.
That gives a team like Detroit some flexibility. Meanwhile, his current team may be heading toward a rebuild, especially with Cooper Flagg looming as the centerpiece of their future.
That could open the door for veteran players like Kyrie to be moved.
But as appealing as the fit might look in theory, the road to making it happen is full of potholes.
The Injury Factor
First and foremost: Kyrie Irving isn’t healthy. He’s recovering from an ACL tear, and while reports suggest he could be back by mid-February, there’s no official timetable. That means any team trading for him before the deadline would be making the move without knowing when-or if-he’ll return to form this season.
For a team like the Pistons, who are trying to build something sustainable and not just chase a quick fix, that’s a massive gamble. Betting on an injured star to come back and immediately elevate your team into contention is risky business-especially when that star is owed significant money and carries a complex injury history.
If Detroit is going to roll the dice on a player returning to form, Jaden Ivey may be the safer internal bet. He’s already on the floor, continues to show flashes of his potential, and doesn’t come with a hefty price tag. That kind of upside, on a rookie-scale deal, is tough to part with-especially for a player who may or may not be available when it matters most.
The Trade Math Doesn’t Add Up
Then there’s the matter of making the money work. The cleanest path would be a package built around Tobias Harris, Jaden Ivey, and draft capital. But that’s where things get complicated.
Trading Harris without getting a power forward in return would leave Detroit dangerously thin at the position. He’s not lighting up the scoreboard, but Harris gives the Pistons valuable size and defensive versatility-particularly in matchups against bigger wings and forwards. Moving him for a guard, even one as dynamic as Irving, would create a glaring hole in the frontcourt rotation.
That’s the part that often gets overlooked in these hypothetical trades. It’s not just about matching salaries-it’s about maintaining roster balance. Harris may not be a star, but he provides stability, and that matters for a team still trying to establish a cohesive identity.
What’s Next?
So, is Kyrie Irving the perfect fit in Detroit? In a vacuum, maybe.
But the reality is a lot messier. Between the injury uncertainty, the roster construction challenges, and the long-term implications of giving up young assets, this is a move that seems unlikely to materialize-at least not before the deadline.
Still, it’s a situation worth monitoring. If the Pistons make a playoff push and come up short, the front office might decide it’s time to find a legitimate second option to pair with Cunningham. In that scenario, Irving-assuming he’s healthy-could resurface as a name to watch in the offseason.
For now, though, Detroit’s path forward likely involves more patience than fireworks. But in this league, things can change fast-and Kyrie Irving has a way of making things interesting wherever he goes.