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Detroit Pistons
Aug 7, 2025 9:38 PM EDT
The Detroit Pistons have had an interesting offseason thus far as they try to build off an impressive season last year.
Of course, the Pistons went from having the worst record in the NBA the prior two seasons to making the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference last season.
Cade Cunningham
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) runs back up the court against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. — Source: © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Now with most of their core led by Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson set to return next season, they are looking to take advantage of a weakened East and clinch a top playoff spot.
Despite this, the Pistons did lose Tim Hardaway Jr., Dennis Schroder and likely Malik Beasley in free agency, though they did sign Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert.
Detroit could still look to make more moves before the start of next season and Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell and Rohan Raman recently released a mock trade that would land the Pistons a former NBA champion.
Pistons predicted to land Michael Porter Jr. from Nets
In the trade, the Pistons would acquire Michael Porter Jr. from the Brooklyn Nets for Harris, Marcus Sasser, Bobi Klintman and a top-10 protected 2027 first-round pick.
Brooklyn would also send Day’Ron Sharpe to the Atlanta Hawks for Vit Krejci and three second-round picks.
This is an interesting trade for the Pistons to make and one that does not make a ton of sense as they would be moving on from two key players from last season in Harris and Sasser.
Detroit Pistons guard Marcus Sasser (25) celebrates with forward Tobias Harris (12) — Source: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Despite this, adding a knockdown shooter in Porter Jr. to their lineup along with a player who has championship experience from his time with the Denver Nuggets could be a solid addition to their roster.
For Porter Jr., he is a great scorer who would provide some much-needed spacing in the Pistons’ starting lineup and would also slot in as their likely second option behind Cunningham.
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr.
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. — Source: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Porter Jr. has also improved defensively over the past few seasons, though swapping Harris and Sasser for him would be a major risk for the Pistons to take, especially with Porter Jr.’s injury history.
While that may be the case, adding Porter Jr. next to their young core of Cunningham, Thompson, Duren, Jaden Ivey and Ron Holland II could make the Pistons a contender next season and for years to come.
About the Author
Nathaniel Holloway