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Detroit Pistons
Aug 12, 2025 4:35 PM EDT
After being the surprise team in the NBA last season, the Detroit Pistons are set to enter next season with lofty expectations.
Of course, the Pistons made the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference last season after finishing with the NBA’s worst record the prior two seasons.
Now they will enter next season expected to be one of the top teams in the East after multiple teams have been weakened due to injuries and offseason movement.
Mar 13, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles in the second half against the Washington Wizards at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images — Source: Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
For the Pistons, they still have their core led by Cade Cunningham but they did lose some key players this offseason as both Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dennis Schroder left in free agency while Malik Beasley’s NBA career is in question due to an investigation regarding gambling allegations.
Detroit did add Caris LeVert, Duncan Robinson and Javonte Green this summer and they also have one roster spot they have yet to fill, which means more moves could be coming.
Pistons predicted to acquire Domantas Sabonis from Kings
With this in mind, Sports Illustrated’s Ryan Shea recently released a blockbuster mock trade that would see the Pistons send three players to the Sacramento Kings for Domantas Sabonis.
Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) — Source: © Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
In the trade, the Pistons would send Tobias Harris, Ron Holland II, Jalen Duren and a 2026 and 2029 first-round pick to the Kings in exchange for Sabonis.
This would be an interesting trade for both teams involved and one that would not make a ton of sense for the Pistons.
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) — Source: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
That is due to the fact that Detroit would be moving on from a key veteran in Harris along with two young players in Holland II and Duren that are set to have a key role for many seasons to come with the Pistons.
Despite this, adding a star center in Sabonis who is a great scorer, rebounder and playmaker would give the Pistons another star player alongside Cunningham, though it would take a massive trade package for them to acquire him.
Ron Holland
Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (00) — Source: © Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Due to this, it is likely that the Pistons would not make this trade as it would hurt their roster depth as they continue to build around their young core and contend for a top seed in the East next season.
About the Author
Nathaniel Holloway