Detroit Looking for Upgrades

tmorgan · Post #1 » by **tmorgan** » Wed Nov 12, 2025 11:57 pm

There’s some Detroit action in here from folks, but I thought I’d spell out what the team really needs and is really willing to move.

Needs/Potential Upgrades:

Capable to good backup PG (rather urgent)
Upgrade at the starting PF spot (not urgent)
Upgrade at the starting SG spot (speculative, by me)
Bench shooting (urgency unknown, because of Ivey’s slow return and Beasley in legal limbo)

The biggest issue is we don’t have a backup PG, unless you really believe in Daniss Jenkins, which seems too risky. Ivey is hurt, but not a PG. Sasser is hurt, but not a PG. We’re making do with Jenkins, Ausar and Caris, but that’s inexperience, non-shooter, and doesn’t really run the offense respectively.

There’s talk about getting in on Lauri or JJJ, but I have no idea if the FO is ready yet to commit the kind of trade assets it would take to pry either loose. Are there other options out there, maybe that aren’t good enough to supplant Tobias yet, but that could provide quality bench minutes? Shooters preferred.

The SG thing is just me speculating. It’s Ivey’s job if he can get healthy, but we’ll need to see what the defense looks like with him out there. It’s been much shakier in the past, and this team is built on defense, rebounding and running in transition. Holland may have a claim on the spot long term, but that’s still up in the air, too. Beasley would sure help, but who knows. Are there guys out there to start at SG now that fit? Duncan Robinson is fine, we need the shooting, but again, bad defense.

Available/Not Available:

We obviously aren’t trading Cade. We aren’t trading Stewart, either. Duren seems very unlikely, given how the season is going. I doubt Ausar is available, but I can’t be entirely sure of that. He’s such an odd player.

I love Holland, but I have to think he’s available in a bigger deal. Ivey seems like he’d be available, as rough as that is, because the team has done so well in his absence. We have all our first round picks and some extra future seconds, certainly available in right trade. Salary filler in another month includes Robinson (basically an expiring), LeVert (one more year), and Tobias if we’re getting a better PF. You can also include Sasser, Reed and Lanier, I suppose.

What’s out there?

Godaddycurse · Post #2 » by **Godaddycurse** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 12:41 am

Monk for Robinson?

tmorgan · Post #3 » by **tmorgan** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 1:21 am

Godaddycurse wrote:Monk for Robinson?

The thought being Monk can play some PG?

Nah, I think that’s too many years (three more seasons, counting this one) on MM’s contract. It’s also a bit of a downgrade in terms of shooting, too, something Detroit can’t afford.

ReggiesKnicks · Post #4 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 2:37 am

We know for a fact they aren't looking to upgrade their rim protection!

SkyHook · Post #5 » by **SkyHook** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 3:21 am

ReggiesKnicks wrote:We know for a fact they aren't looking to upgrade their rim protection!

tmorgan · Post #6 » by **tmorgan** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 3:31 am

I know you two can’t let the other thread go and are trying to be funny for each other, but Detroit is second in the NBA in blocks per game, and, last I checked, first or second in the league in defensive field goal percentage in the paint.

So yeah, we’re good on rim protection.

SkyHook · Post #7 » by **SkyHook** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 3:34 am

tmorgan wrote:I know you two can’t let the other thread go and are trying to be funny for each other, but Detroit is second in the NBA in blocks per game, and, last I checked, first or second in the league in defensive field goal percentage in the paint.

So yeah, we’re good on rim protection.

Loosen up and have a little fun, Pumpkin!

ReggiesKnicks · Post #8 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 3:43 am

tmorgan wrote:I know you two can’t let the other thread go and are trying to be funny for each other, but Detroit is second in the NBA in blocks per game, and, last I checked, first or second in the league in defensive field goal percentage in the paint.

So yeah, we’re good on rim protection.

Can't let the other thread go?

Is this a Detroit fan posting in a Zach LaVine thread?

I'm not the one posting in off-topic threads, Detroit Fans are. Corral the Motor City Kids before you think about me posting in a Detroit Pistons thread about the...Detroit Pistons :banghead:

DetroitSho wrote:
ReggiesKnicks wrote:
You have the time, come on.

You can't just make a baseless claim and say you are right.
Oh, like Isaiah Stewart's rim protection?

Sent from my SM-S918U using RealGM mobile app

tmorgan · Post #9 » by **tmorgan** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 3:48 am

Mods, please just lock this thread. I rarely make threads, and this is a reminder why.

DetroitSho · Post #10 » by **DetroitSho** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 4:02 am

ReggiesKnicks wrote:
tmorgan wrote:I know you two can’t let the other thread go and are trying to be funny for each other, but Detroit is second in the NBA in blocks per game, and, last I checked, first or second in the league in defensive field goal percentage in the paint.

So yeah, we’re good on rim protection.

Can't let the other thread go?

Is this a Detroit fan posting in a Zach LaVine thread?

I'm not the one posting in off-topic threads, Detroit Fans are. Corral the Motor City Kids before you think about me posting in a Detroit Pistons thread about the...Detroit Pistons

DetroitSho wrote:
ReggiesKnicks wrote:
You have the time, come on.

You can't just make a baseless claim and say you are right.
Oh, like Isaiah Stewart's rim protection?

Sent from my SM-S918U using RealGM mobile app

Are you f'ing serious? I was poking fun at you. You were guilty of doing what you told the other poster not to do. I guess you can't stand what you see in the mirror tho, so....

Sent from my SM-S918U using RealGM mobile app

Godaddycurse · Post #11 » by **Godaddycurse** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 4:04 am

tmorgan wrote:Mods, please just lock this thread. I rarely make threads, and this is a reminder why.

I appreciated the info from the OP. Gave me good insight into the rest of the Pistons roster needs.

If memphis is going to blow it up, i like a Levert (or robinson) + future 1st for Aldama + Pippen Jr

tmorgan · Post #12 » by **tmorgan** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 4:09 am

Godaddycurse wrote:
tmorgan wrote:Mods, please just lock this thread. I rarely make threads, and this is a reminder why.

I appreciated the info from the OP. Gave me good insight into the rest of the Pistons roster needs.

If memphis is going to blow it up, i like a Levert (or robinson) + future 1st for Aldama + Pippen Jr

See, now that’s interesting. Big fan of Santi.

ReggiesKnicks · Post #13 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 4:12 am

Godaddycurse wrote:
tmorgan wrote:Mods, please just lock this thread. I rarely make threads, and this is a reminder why.

I appreciated the info from the OP. Gave me good insight into the rest of the Pistons roster needs.

If memphis is going to blow it up, i like a Levert (or robinson) + future 1st for Aldama + Pippen Jr

What would the protections be on the 1st?

Post #14 » by **Texas Chuck** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 4:13 am

Not sure what you guys want from the Mods here. I see both sides giving and taking and then multiple posts getting reported on top of that. OP is asking to lock the thread, but the topic seems like a good one so I hate to do that. I hate to issue any warnings or anything when both are giving and getting. Can we just let it all go and move on maybe?

ReggiesKnicks · Post #15 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 4:32 am

tmorgan wrote:There’s some Detroit action in here from folks, but I thought I’d spell out what the team really needs and is really willing to move.

Needs/Potential Upgrades:

Capable to good backup PG (rather urgent)
Upgrade at the starting PF spot (not urgent)
Upgrade at the starting SG spot (speculative, by me)
Bench shooting (urgency unknown, because of Ivey’s slow return and Beasley in legal limbo)

Pascal Siakam is the straightforward fix for most of these.
He provides playmaking, alleviating the need for a true backup PG.
His salary is easily comparable to Harris/Holland/Reed, which means Detroit doesn't need to sacrifice major depth.

The question becomes, what does Indiana require in exchange for trading Siakam in the division? Does that matter?

Another interesting player is Zach LaVine. The cost is essentially nothing for Detroit, where Harris/LeVert is already there (and Reed?).

SkyHook · Post #16 » by **SkyHook** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 4:54 am

Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier are probably both gettable from the Jazz. Of the two, I'd rather keep Collier and the FO would probably be the opposite. George could be a capable backup. Coby White could be interesting there.

Making a deal for Lauri is unlikely, imo, as there seems to be an insurmountable gap between internal and external valuations. I don't expect JJJ to be an available target.

Godaddycurse · Post #17 » by **Godaddycurse** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 5:13 am

ReggiesKnicks wrote:
tmorgan wrote:There’s some Detroit action in here from folks, but I thought I’d spell out what the team really needs and is really willing to move.

Needs/Potential Upgrades:

Capable to good backup PG (rather urgent)
Upgrade at the starting PF spot (not urgent)
Upgrade at the starting SG spot (speculative, by me)
Bench shooting (urgency unknown, because of Ivey’s slow return and Beasley in legal limbo)

Pascal Siakam is the straightforward fix for most of these.
He provides playmaking, alleviating the need for a true backup PG.
His salary is easily comparable to Harris/Holland/Reed, which means Detroit doesn't need to sacrifice major depth.

The question becomes, what does Indiana require in exchange for trading Siakam in the division? Does that matter?

Another interesting player is Zach LaVine. The cost is essentially nothing for Detroit, where Harris/LeVert is already there (and Reed?).

Siakam would be a great fit, although the pistons fans seem budget conscious. Are they willing to go into the tax?

tmorgan · Post #18 » by **tmorgan** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 5:22 am

Budget is probably an issue, mostly because we have a lot of guys about to get paid. Ivey and Duren are getting raises next year, then Ausar, then Holland. Obviously at least one of them goes out in a trade for Siakam, Markkanen, or JJJ, but that’s still likely a cost increase even factoring in Tobias.

As for Gores’ willingness to spend, I don’t know. We haven’t had anything remotely resembling a contending team during his ownership.

babyjax13 · Post #19 » by **babyjax13** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 5:22 am

I like the Siakam idea. Lauri would be nice if the primary concern is more scoring. Jalen Smith feels like a cheap addition to their rotation who could be a nice fit?

For the PG/SG need - Monk?

tmorgan · Post #20 » by **tmorgan** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 5:28 am

I will say Pascal seems a little off timetable-wise. It’s obviously OK to pay for some vet leadership through contributing players (thus Tobias, DR, and Caris), but it might be different to commit to an AAV of nearly 50 mil for a guy in his age 31-33 seasons when the rest of the important players are 24 and under. Maybe not, though.

I really can’t see Indy doing a teardown while Hali is out anyway. They know they were a contender with Tyrese and Pascal and other good but lesser pieces, most of which they can keep. I get that center is now an issue, but that should be solvable, right?