2026 NBA Trade Deadline

[buddha]

1 hour ago, Deleterious said:

It confuses me why some Pistons fans want DeRozen.  Team lacks shooting, so let's bring in a guy that doesn't shoot the three?  On top of that, Cade is great in the mid-range.  So let's bring in another mid-range guy to crowd that space for Cade?  It doesn't make much sense to me.  

the only scenario would be for bench scoring.

[Hart]

I don't think we can afford to trade Duren without a competent replacement.  

[Hongbit]

I will be shocked if the team makes any major moves.     

[Deleterious]

I read some grim stuff about Milwaukee.  

After this season, they don't control their 1st round pick again until 2031.  Every other year was traded and the years in-between were swapped, mostly to Portland for Dame.

So they are about to suck for 3-5 years and won't be getting lottery picks out of it?  Ouch.

 

[buddha]

The east is so bad that this team might just survive any playoff series, but their flaws are well known, and the strategy to exploit them is too.

the key to them winning in the playoffs will be cade's ability to shake double teams and a second scorer to emerge, and how do they cover for duncan robinson's defense?  can tobias be a reliable #2 scorer every night?  can cade carry them despite constant double teams and making him work on defense?  can anyone else space the floor besides robinson?

is jb the coach to come up with this plan?

i dont know.  they need a trade pretty badly, imo.  ivey was supposed to be that guy but injuries have apparently sapped him of all his previous explosiveness.

use those #1 picks and get something of value for this year.  grab yourself a porter: michael or bobby will do.  get a second point guard.  do something!

[1984Echoes]

On 1/28/2026 at 7:22 PM, Betrayer said:

Was just thinking about how we could be the third team in the Giannis to Miami trade and come out of the deal with Powell and Portis. Powell is a rental, so that should lower his price a bit even though he's having a nice season.

My WAG on this...

Bucks aren't trading Giannis until the offseason.

Miami would absolutely be interested.

But I think the Heat have expiring contracts of $54 Mill plus (Rozier, Powell, Fontecchio...). So they can absorb Giannis without too much effort.

So the guys the Heat may consider trading (where the Pistons come in), aren't the expiring contracts but, rather, guys that they might be interested in moving who are signed beyond this season. Which isn't everybody, since they will want some competitive team around Giannis. I believe they would be reluctant to lose Bam, Herro & Wiggins, for starters.

That leaves Davion Mitchell ($12.4M in 2026-27) and Jovic ($16.2M starting in 2026-27 (TOXIC! especially if they sign Giannis and make Jovic a backup PF...)) / Ware ($4.7M 26-27 ... club option)/ Jacquez ($6M 26-27 ... club option)/ Jakucionis ($4M in 2026-27) ... 

I think they waive Jacquez if they need more money for Giannis.

I'm not interested in Jovic, let him be some other teams' problem, even though he's a young (22) stretch-4 (sort of, alot of up & down early in his career: 40% 2023, 37% 2024, 29% this season). I don't want to risk the $16M and there's not enough D there. In fact... the Bucks can have him.

But...

I WOULD be interested in Davion Mitchell and Kel'el Ware (stretch-5 with D).

If the Heat want some cap room and are willing to move those two, I would try to get them at the deadline. Ivey, Green & Isaac Jones fall off the books after this year and match salaries... and this is going to cost a couple 1sts at least. And maybe half a dozen 2nds... Miami would use them to help acquire Giannis in the offseason. Just on a WAG.

Anyone interested?

[Deleterious]

Any scenario people come up with for Heat/Bucks has Herro and Ware going out.  If the Giannis trade goes to the summer, I doubt Miami is moving Ware at the deadline.  They will want to keep him for when they make a run at Giannis this  summer.

They are also not cutting Jaquez, he has a trade market.  His contract with Herro and Ware actually would complete the Giannis trade.  

Cant see them moving Mitchell either.  Plays good defense and can shoot the three.  That is  the exact type of PG you want next to Giannis.

Ware is a terrible defender BTW, while Jovic isn't a rim protector, but his perimeter defense is very solid.  He is also already a backup PF/C so nothing changes for him with Giannis coming in.

[Deleterious]

This seems hard to believe. Windhorst said he's hearing Hartenstein mentioned in trade rumors. 

Unless his health is a concern, why trade one is the best centers in the league?

[1984Echoes]

I'm stealing this from the game thread because it is oh so relevant in here:

12 hours ago, Deleterious said:

If you want a two way 3 and D type then you have to be willing to part with Duren, Ausar, or Ron. 

Those type if players don't get moved often and when they do, it's expensive...

 

So here's the question I would ask...

Are there under-the-radar 3&D guys that Langdon could find? One that would NOT cost a Duren or Ausar (maybe a Holland...)?

Maybe they are good at range and D, but not great, but are young and haven't been given enough rope on the floor to get better? Or a 3&D bench guy with a flaw or two but that would improve the Pistons bench anyways? A vet who is good at 3 and D and playmaking, but not great at any one of those, and is winding down his career? An expensive contract that needs to be moved and the guy actually is great at 3&D?

I'm just spit-ballin' here... Trying to think outside the box. That's why I went after Miami's guys if they are going to take the big swing at Giannis.

I'm not interested in Giannis either... I was... but he's 31, starting to get injured a lot... I'd rather target a Murphy3, MPJ, or JJJ. If we were going that type of route and one of those guys were actually available.

PS: Do we have any ourselves? IE: Chaz Lanier... does he turn into one down the road?

[Deleterious]

53 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

I'm stealing this from the game thread because it is oh so relevant in here:

 

So here's the question I would ask...

Are there under-the-radar 3&D guys that Langdon could find? One that would NOT cost a Duren or Ausar (maybe a Holland...)?

Maybe they are good at range and D, but not great, but are young and haven't been given enough rope on the floor to get better? Or a 3&D bench guy with a flaw or two but that would improve the Pistons bench anyways? A vet who is good at 3 and D and playmaking, but not great at any one of those, and is winding down his career? An expensive contract that needs to be moved and the guy actually is great at 3&D?

I'm just spit-ballin' here... Trying to think outside the box. That's why I went after Miami's guys if they are going to take the big swing at Giannis.

I'm not interested in Giannis either... I was... but he's 31, starting to get injured a lot... I'd rather target a Murphy3, MPJ, or JJJ. If we were going that type of route and one of those guys were actually available.

PS: Do we have any ourselves? IE: Chaz Lanier... does he turn into one down the road?

I think you could probably find a few guys you could take a chance on.  Maybe plugged into Detroit's system they look better on defense than they previously did.  

I mentioned Ayo Dosunmu a few days ago, he could be one of those guys.  He will never be a good defender, but he could be a guy that isn't hunted in the playoffs.  When you shoot 44% from three, that is acceptable defense IMO.  

You could maybe get him for a couple of seconds.  Worst case is this year's first.  He is a free agent this summer so its an easy out if he doesn't work out.

[Deleterious]

 

[Deleterious]

Relevant because some of those teams might want to shed salary at the deadline.

 

[1984Echoes]

Trajan needs to worm his way into the middle of those two scenarios:

Teams trying to dump salary to avoid tax penalties...

And teams trying to dump salary to go after Giannis...

And wheedle just one player (at least I mean...) out of each situation that help the Pistons in areas of need. Doesn't have to be a star... just a 3&D guy, a playmaker/ballhandler, a stretch 3 or 4 or 5... They can be backups... but have the ability to step up with the starters if needed.

Just my 2 cents.

[1984Echoes]

And before anyone else says it...

"Easier said than done".

Yep, I know...!

[Deleterious]

The girl drags me out for the night and trades happen.

 

[Deleterious]

 

[1984Echoes]

21 hours ago, Deleterious said:

...  I mentioned Ayo Dosunmu a few days ago, he could be ...

Definitely a guy I would be interested in.

Also... Tre Jones from the same team. But I don't think he's available.

Just sayin'...

The type of guy who would help the Pistons significantly.

But here's one more question: If the Pistons could grab two players - call them Dosunmu & Tre Jones, or Davion Mitchell and Kel'el Ware - and had to overpay to get them, in picks and NOT in players, say one more 1st rounder or add a couple 1st round swaps and half a dozen or more 2nds OVER what would be expected to be a fair trade package...

Should the Pistons do that? Overpay for significant secondary players instead of a potential "top dog" to pair with Cade?

If they can't get ahold of JJJ, or Murphy3, or MPJ... 

Might that not be a viable alternative?

Just tryin' to think outside the box again...

[Hongbit]

I don’t see any world where they trade Tobias.   This organization values his leadership maybe more than what he does on court.  They won’t risk the need to get better at the risk of throwing off chemistry.    

There aren’t any big moves made without moving him and that contract.   MPJ, JJJ, TM3, Giannis, or anyone close to that level is going to happen.  
 

 

[Deleterious]

1 hour ago, 1984Echoes said:

Definitely a guy I would be interested in.

Also... Tre Jones from the same team. But I don't think he's available.

Just sayin'...

The type of guy who would help the Pistons significantly.

But here's one more question: If the Pistons could grab two players - call them Dosunmu & Tre Jones, or Davion Mitchell and Kel'el Ware - and had to overpay to get them, in picks and NOT in players, say one more 1st rounder or add a couple 1st round swaps and half a dozen or more 2nds OVER what would be expected to be a fair trade package...

Should the Pistons do that? Overpay for significant secondary players instead of a potential "top dog" to pair with Cade?

If they can't get ahold of JJJ, or Murphy3, or MPJ... 

Might that not be a viable alternative?

Just tryin' to think outside the box again...

Pass on Jones, he can't shoot.  The criteria for any trade has to be shooting, especially if its a perimeter player.  I'm willing to take a chance on a guy who plays iffy defense, because you can sometimes fix that with scheme and teaching proper technique.  Even guys who go from poor to respectable shooters usually take years.

I wouldn't overpay for Dosunmu or guys like him.  A lot of those type of players in the league and they are always available.  No need to overpay.

You overpay for a legit 2nd star because not a lot of them exist, and they are rarely available.  So when they do pop up you have to be ready to jump with a big offer.

[Deleterious]

38 minutes ago, Hongbit said:

I don’t see any world where they trade Tobias.   This organization values his leadership maybe more than what he does on court.  They won’t risk the need to get better at the risk of throwing off chemistry.    

There aren’t any big moves made without moving him and that contract.   MPJ, JJJ, TM3, Giannis, or anyone close to that level is going to happen.  
 

 

I disagree with the first paragraph, but it's opinion so no point arguing it.

That second paragraph though.  Murphy makes next to nothing.  LeVert and Ivey gets you Murphy.  LeVert, Ivey, and Ron gets you JJJ and MPJ.  I'm speaking strictly salary structure of the trade here.  Obviously picks would have to be added in each trade.  But the Harris contract is not needed at all in those 3 deals to make salaries work.  

[1984Echoes]

Theoretically speaking...

If trading Harris got me TWO of those players... I'm all for it.

Meaning, say we trade LeVert + Ivey plus a 1st or two and two 1st swaps and some 2nds for Murphy.

If trading Harris + Holland plus any other 1sts, swaps, and 2nds gets me MPJ or JJJ...

Yes please.

Crazy.

Probably impossible.

But I believe we become the top competitive team in the East for the next 4/5-ish years, or more? ...

For representing the East in NBA Championships on an annual basis.

I want.

[Hongbit]

59 minutes ago, Deleterious said:

I disagree with the first paragraph, but it's opinion so no point arguing it.

That second paragraph though.  Murphy makes next to nothing.  LeVert and Ivey gets you Murphy.  LeVert, Ivey, and Ron gets you JJJ and MPJ.  I'm speaking strictly salary structure of the trade here.  Obviously picks would have to be added in each trade.  But the Harris contract is not needed at all in those 3 deals to make salaries work.  

I defer to you when it comes to the complexities of NBA economics.  

I guess I’m confused why Toby appears to be included in most of these proposed deals that are out there.   The organization have a semi-irrational love for what he means to the team outside the lines.   I don’t see them trading him in their current top position for risk of screwing up team chemistry.   
 

I’d do Caris, Ivey and picks for TM3 all day.  Hopefully,  JB doesn’t have an equal voice in room because there’s no way he’s parting with his favorite player of all time.  

[buddha]

8 minutes ago, Hongbit said:

I defer to you when it comes to the complexities of NBA economics.  

I guess I’m confused why Toby appears to be included in most of these proposed deals that are out there.   The organization have a semi-irrational love for what he means to the team outside the lines.   I don’t see them trading him in their current top position for risk of screwing up team chemistry.   
 

I’d do Caris, Ivey and picks for TM3 all day.  Hopefully,  JB doesn’t have an equal voice in room because there’s no way he’s parting with his favorite player of all time.  

harris' contract is big enough, but not TOO big, that makes it easy to include.  and its expiring, so you have to move it now if you want to move it and a team may want it because its expiring.

i dont think new orleans is trading trey murphy.  i think they would give you zion, but not murphy.  at this point, i might even take zion.  they desperately need another scorer and if its one thing zion is good at (othet than eating and banging porn stars) its scoring.

[Deleterious]

15 minutes ago, Hongbit said:

I defer to you when it comes to the complexities of NBA economics.  

I guess I’m confused why Toby appears to be included in most of these proposed deals that are out there.   The organization have a semi-irrational love for what he means to the team outside the lines.   I don’t see them trading him in their current top position for risk of screwing up team chemistry.   
 

I’d do Caris, Ivey and picks for TM3 all day.  Hopefully,  JB doesn’t have an equal voice in room because there’s no way he’s parting with his favorite player of all time.  

Most people do not want to give up Ron.  Until the past few weeks, most didn't want to give up Ivey.  Plus with his deal expiring it makes it more attractive to other teams.  Also, most feel Harris will come back this summer for cheap in free agency.  

[Deleterious]