Detroit Pistons Offseason: 2026

[buddha]

36 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

IMHO...

I think it is more valuable to the Pistons to add draft picks to the roster, this year, than to do a go-for-broke trade with several future 1sts for a Trey Murphy, even as much as I would desperately want him on this team. Also keep in mind, 1st rounders this year are RFA's after the 29-30 season so... a lot of flexibility with the cap is available that offseason including giving Cade an extension, or not.

Possible methods to adding additional 2026 1st rounders:

What would the Knicks (Mitch Robinson leaving...?), Spurs, or Thunder give for Stew? Should we trade Stew as part of a Murphy package? or could we get a 2026 1st rounder + back instead from one of these teams?

Are the Thunder really looking to get out of their second 1st round pick? The Hornets? That's the rumor at least... I believe. I would trade two future 1sts, or a future 1st plus however many multiple 2nds it would get take to get extra picks this year. Again, IMHO, I think 2026 1st rounders are more important to the Pistons than future picks.

I'm looking at guys like Cameron Carr, Allen Graves, Josh Jefferson, Henri Veesaar, Bruce Thornton, etc...

To try and add some 3&D forwards, ballhandlers, stretch-4/5, etc...

I just think adding multiple options that are young (and yes, will have growing pains), but have talent/upside, rather than just one guy is better for the team long-term/ Cade/ playoffs... etc.

IMHO.

 

 

if youre about to enter cade's prime, why do you want to add more projects to the team?

adding one is fine, but more than that lenghtens their timeline.  the pistons should be looking at the next 2-4 years as their timeline.

if youre going to draft someone, take someone ready to play now (like yaxel) and not some 19 year who will take 4 years to be ready to contribute.

[Deleterious]

16 minutes ago, buddha said:

i think youre overrating trey murphy's value.

All Pistons fans think I do.  Anyone who isn't a Pistons fan is pretty much saying the same thing I am.  Plus, I didn't set the market.  Bridges and Bane did and Murphy is right there with both of them in terms of talent.  

I love how Stein saying the Pistons want Murphy is gospel.  But him saying 4 1st round picks will be the price is complete BS.  

A big wing that scores 20+ a game, shoots 38% from three, and plays really good defense is expensive.  On top of that, he isn't a guy just chucking up shots on a bad team.  His TS% was 61% this season on 21.8 points per game.  That is great efficiency.  

I'm one of the biggest Stewart fans around.  If Joe called me and offered Murphy for Stew + filler + 3 1st round picks, I couldn't say yes fast enough.  

 

[buddha]

7 minutes ago, Deleterious said:

All Pistons fans think I do.  Anyone who isn't a Pistons fan is pretty much saying the same thing I am.  Plus, I didn't set the market.  Bridges and Bane did and Murphy is right there with both of them in terms of talent.  

I love how Stein saying the Pistons want Murphy is gospel.  But him saying 4 1st round picks will be the price is complete BS.  

A big wing that scores 20+ a game, shoots 38% from three, and plays really good defense is expensive.  On top of that, he isn't a guy just chucking up shots on a bad team.  His TS% was 61% this season on 21.8 points per game.  That is great efficiency.  

I'm one of the biggest Stewart fans around.  If Joe called me and offered Murphy for Stew + filler + 3 1st round picks, I couldn't say yes fast enough.  

 

why do you think he plays good defense? 

he's a great shooter.  he doesnt create his own shot.  he doesnt beat people consistently on the dribble.  he'll provide a willing defender who wont be a traffic cone like our current shooters, but its not like he's ausar on defense.  he's competent.

[buddha]

darko thinks he's **** at defense.

 

[NYLion]

1 hour ago, buddha said:

i dont think he'll have to do that.

unless youre counting stew, holland, and sasser as three of those assets.

I think Murphy is going to cost a ton. The market is very robust for sellers, just look at the Bane trade as the most recent example and I think Murphy is very much on that Bane level and maybe even worth more because of his bargain contract. That's the thing too, the Pelicans don't HAVE TO trade him because he's signed for 3 more years so it will take an offer they can't refuse to part with him. I'm thinking Holland, Stew plus 3 1sts at minimum. I like Murphy and all but that feels pretty steep, that's probably the market however.

[buddha]

3 minutes ago, NYLion said:

I think Murphy is going to cost a ton. The market is very robust for sellers, just look at the Bane trade as the most recent example and I think Murphy is very much on that Bane level and maybe even worth more because of his bargain contract. That's the thing too, the Pelicans don't HAVE TO trade him because he's signed for 3 more years so it will take an offer they can't refuse to part with him. I'm thinking Holland, Stew plus 3 1sts at minimum. I like Murphy and all but that feels pretty steep, that's probably the market however.

desmond bane can get his own shot.

 

[Deleterious]

8 minutes ago, buddha said:

why do you think he plays good defense? 

he's a great shooter.  he doesnt create his own shot.  he doesnt beat people consistently on the dribble.  he'll provide a willing defender who wont be a traffic cone like our current shooters, but its not like he's ausar on defense.  he's competent.

If Ausar is your jumping off point for who we need to add as a defender, I got bad news for ya.

He is a plus defender who can guard the 2/3.  He can guard bigger PG's or smaller PF's as well, but both of those are situational.  

The biggest knock on Murphy is his injury history IMO.  

[NYLion]

5 minutes ago, buddha said:

desmond bane can get his own shot.

 

Bane is a bit more of a playmaker but their numbers are fairly similar with maybe a slight edge to Bane but when taking contract into account that's what boosts Murphy's value with his contract being quite a bit cheaper than Bane's for the same term. I can't see him costing less than 4 1sts based on the market and because the Pelicans don't have to trade him now.

[buddha]

5 minutes ago, Deleterious said:

If Ausar is your jumping off point for who we need to add as a defender, I got bad news for ya.

He is a plus defender who can guard the 2/3.  He can guard bigger PG's or smaller PF's as well, but both of those are situational.  

The biggest knock on Murphy is his injury history IMO.  

his defensive numbers are ****.  why do you think he's a good defensive player?  

[buddha]

2 minutes ago, NYLion said:

Bane is a bit more of a playmaker but their numbers are fairly similar with maybe a slight edge to Bane but when taking contract into account that's what boosts Murphy's value with his contract being quite a bit cheaper than Bane's for the same term. I can't see him costing less than 4 1sts based on the market and because the Pelicans don't have to trade him now.

look, i dont agree with giving up 4 first round picks for desmond bane either, but he can shoot and get his own shot.  something murphy doesnt do.  theyre different players.

the nba values shot creators more than 3 and d guys.  

but we'll see.  i could be wrong.

[NYLion]

3 minutes ago, buddha said:

look, i dont agree with giving up 4 first round picks for desmond bane either, but he can shoot and get his own shot.  something murphy doesnt do.  theyre different players.

the nba values shot creators more than 3 and d guys.  

but we'll see.  i could be wrong.

Bridges was also considered largely a 3 and D guy when he got traded even though he showed some self creation ability in Brooklyn. I agree with you in theory that it's an overpayment but buyers generally overpay in this market going back years now and that Murphy contract is a thing of beauty in a rising cap NBA world, a contract barely more than what Tobias got per year to put it in perspective so he's going to cost a pretty penny. 

Ultimately I don't think a trade will happen because I bet that Duren will be the ask from the Pelicans and I don't see Langdon dealing him.

[Deleterious]

6 minutes ago, buddha said:

his defensive numbers are ****.  why do you think he's a good defensive player?  

I have watched him for years.  Long and athletic, a bit stiff though.  He gets the other teams best offensive player every game and plays with little support.  Not shocked his advanced numbers are low.  If he is your 2nd or 3rd best defender on the perimeter you are doing good.  

[Deleterious]

Does Bane have the worst contract in the league?  Hurry up and answer before Duren signs.  

[Deleterious]

23 minutes ago, NYLion said:

Bridges was also considered largely a 3 and D guy when he got traded even though he showed some self creation ability in Brooklyn. I agree with you in theory that it's an overpayment but buyers generally overpay in this market going back years now and that Murphy contract is a thing of beauty in a rising cap NBA world, a contract barely more than what Tobias got per year to put it in perspective so he's going to cost a pretty penny. 

Ultimately I don't think a trade will happen because I bet that Duren will be the ask from the Pelicans and I don't see Langdon dealing him.

I think Ausar would be the ask way before Duren.  

 

[buddha]

i would hate to trade ausar.  he's such a unique talent.

but if youre dumb enough to give duren $40 m a year, its going to be hard to win with 2/5 of your lineup unable to score outside of 2 feet.

one of them might have to go.

[NYLion]

17 minutes ago, Deleterious said:

I think Ausar would be the ask way before Duren.  

 

That would be a hard no for me if that's the ask. 

[1984Echoes]

1 hour ago, buddha said:

if youre about to enter cade's prime, why do you want to add more projects to the team?

adding one is fine, but more than that lenghtens their timeline.  the pistons should be looking at the next 2-4 years as their timeline.

if youre going to draft someone, take someone ready to play now (like yaxel) and not some 19 year who will take 4 years to be ready to contribute.

I would love to grab Yaxel or Mo...

A couple things here:

I don't think these guys are taking 3-4 years before they contribute. That's ridiculous.

These aren't 19 year-olds.

Cameron Carr is 22 (in early 2026-27 season. Substitute Bennett Stirtz if the team goes that direction and he's... 23. They are immediate starters (either one... pushing Duncan to the bench and making LeVert releasable...). Or, if not, they will be by the end of next season.

Josh Jefferson and Allen Graves are bruising Power and Small 3&D forwards who are... 23 and 20 years old. Graves may take a year or two. But the team can still sign Tobias back on a two-year and he can be the starter until one or both push him to the bench. He would have to sign with that in mind. Or maybe he looks elsewhere to sign.

IMO, I think Jefferson can also be an immediate starter at PF. And Graves has the higher upside.

Henri Veesaar is 22. And if he's only a backup stretch-5/ rim protector... what's the big deal? He's capable of that right now. Plus of course, the typical rookie growing pains...

Emanuel Sharp and Bruce Thornton are early 2nd round 3&D point guard/ playmakers. They are 22 and 23.

I'm sorry...

But I'm on the Trajan Langdon plan: draft guys and develop them. And I see just the right guys to draft this year. Several. So I'm sticking with my plan. get lots of draft picks this year. trade Stew. Chase OKC and Charlotte trying to dump their second 1st rounders... And build this team up with the draft.

I'm sticking to my guns.

IMHO.

[1984Echoes]

10 minutes ago, buddha said:

... its going to be hard to win with 2/5 of your lineup unable to score outside of 2 feet...

So the search has to be on..,

To load this team with as many or as much 3&D as Trajan can obtain.

IMO, through the draft.

The cheaper the better...

Edited June 16 by 1984Echoes

[buddha]

4 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

I would love to grab Yaxel or Mo...

A couple things here:

I don't think these guys are taking 3-4 years before they contribute. That's ridiculous.

These aren't 19 year-olds.

Cameron Carr is 22 (in early 2026-27 season. Substitute Bennett Stirtz if the team goes that direction and he's... 23. They are immediate starters (either one... pushing Duncan to the bench and making LeVert releasable...). Or, if not, they will be by the end of next season.

Josh Jefferson and Allen Graves are bruising Power and Small 3&D forwards who are... 23 and 20 years old. Graves may take a year or two. But the team can still sign Tobias back on a two-year and he can be the starter until one or both push him to the bench. He would have to sign with that in mind. Or maybe he looks elsewhere to sign.

IMO, I think Jefferson can also be an immediate starter at PF. And Graves has the higher upside.

Henri Veesaar is 22. And if he's only a backup stretch-5/ rim protector... what's the big deal? He's capable of that right now. Plus of course, the typical rookie growing pains...

Emanuel Sharp and Bruce Thornton are early 2nd round 3&D point guard/ playmakers. They are 22 and 23.

I'm sorry...

But I'm on the Trajan Langdon plan: draft guys and develop them. And I see just the right guys to draft this year. Several. So I'm sticking with my plan. get lots of draft picks this year. trade Stew. Chase OKC and Charlotte trying to dump their second 1st rounders... And build this team up with the draft.

I'm sticking to my guns.

IMHO.

how many rookies are immediate starters/contributors in the nba?  like actual contributors and not just bodies on the court?

[Betrayer]

2 hours ago, Deleterious said:

Remember, Bane recently went for 4 1st round picks and Bridges went for 5.  Murphy is very comparable to them.

Bane went for 1 less because of his dumb contract of $40 million a year.  Bridges got the extra pick because he was on a very team friendly deal, just like Murphy is.  I think when the Knicks traded for Bridges he was making about $22-$23 million per year.  I think Murphy makes $27, $29, and $31 million the next 3 seasons.  

I'd call Bane 3 firsts, not 4. Memphis got paid one of those firsts to take KCP's terrible contract.

[Deleterious]

26 minutes ago, buddha said:

i would hate to trade ausar.  he's such a unique talent.

but if youre dumb enough to give duren $40 m a year, its going to be hard to win with 2/5 of your lineup unable to score outside of 2 feet.

one of them might have to go.

What does the trade market look like for Thompson?

[1984Echoes]

3 minutes ago, buddha said:

how many rookies are immediate starters/contributors in the nba?  like actual contributors and not just bodies on the court?

If we're trading (4) 1sts or Stew and (3) 1sts to get Murphy... Isn't that also a risk? A huge risk?

BTW, you went from "they're taking 4 years until they contribute" to "how many are immediate starters/ contributors?"

No matter which direction the team goes... It's a HUGE risk. 

I prefer the draft and develop risk.

And we're in the area of the draft of "not-19 year olds" because they all get picked early, in the lottery. We would be in the area of college seniors who are able to... contribute, meaningfully, early.

It's just my 2 cents here.

[buddha]

lets look at all the 22 year olds drafted 2 yeaes ago and see how theyre doing:

jordan hawkins.  5 pts.  1 reb. 

jaime jacquez.  15 pts 5 rebs.  decent.

kris murray.  5 pts 3 rebs.  sucks.

marcus sasser.  5 pts 1 rebs.  sucks.

ben sheppard.  7 pts.  3 rebs.  not good.

julian strawther.  7 pts.  2 rebs.  not good.

kobe brown.  5 pts.  3 rebs.

7 players over age 22 when they were drafted and you have ONE contributor.  

go ahead and take your chances this year.  the odds are not in your favor.

 

[1984Echoes]

Names from 2024 have ZERO bearing on this year's players.

In its simplest terms:

It is ALWAYS a case-by-case basis with prospects.

I'll let Trajan figure that part out...

[buddha]

21 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

If we're trading (4) 1sts or Stew and (3) 1sts to get Murphy... Isn't that also a risk? A huge risk?

BTW, you went from "they're taking 4 years until they contribute" to "how many are immediate starters/ contributors?"

No matter which direction the team goes... It's a HUGE risk. 

I prefer the draft and develop risk.

And we're in the area of the draft of "not-19 year olds" because they all get picked early, in the lottery. We would be in the area of college seniors who are able to... contribute, meaningfully, early.

It's just my 2 cents here.

youve never seen a hometown prospect you didnt think was a future all star.

college seniors are usually getting drafted because they are very flawed players.  thats why they didnt get picked earlier.

yax is a bit of an outlier because his issues were between the ears.  but most others are there because theyre not athletic enough or big enough to play nba ball.