Detroit Pistons Offseason: 2026

[1984Echoes]

I would say it this way: If we somehow end up with three 1sts and an early 2nd this year...

I would WAG that Trajan has identified specific players that he believes can help the team... both in the short-term and in the long-term. And makes the moves necessary to get/draft those players.

I trust in Trajan.

I trust his judgement.

So...

We'll see.

We'll see what he decides to do to build this team up...

[buddha]

3 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

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...

but that's what usually happens with 22+ age players nowadays. 

these guys are scouted for YEARS and everyone knows them.  its rare (keaton wagler) that one comes along out of the blue (but i think wagler is going to struggle because he's not athletic enough).

my point being, 22+ year olds dont usually make a big dent because theyre flawed.  pick a year and its usually like that nowadays.  times are different now.

[1984Echoes]

4 minutes ago, buddha said:

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

I don't need all-stars.

Just some 3&D competency.

Depth players (initially, after the draft) that are at least good enough to eventually start. Support-level players (initially) that help this team get wins. In the playoffs. 

[Betrayer]

This was the #1 team in the East and one of the last 8 teams standing. One game away from being in the ECF. The mindset has to change this offseason or (at the latest) before the deadline.

You can use the draft to add guys to the back of the roster and hope to get some cost controlled talent, but it should definitely NOT be the primary route they take to improve. That's the fast track to Cade demanding a trade. You need players who can contribute to contending basketball today, not in 2-4 years (if you're lucky).

I'd prefer if it was Duren being traded for Murphy and Weaver probably would too, but I doubt Trajan does it and I doubt Duren's camp agrees to it anyway. So if that means it takes 3 draft picks + some of Weaver's other favorites (Stew), so be it.

Other teams can offer more assets, but we all know Weaver falls in love with his draft board and that means we have something others can't offer in a couple of guys he traded into the first round to get.

Edited June 16 by Betrayer

[1984Echoes]

46 minutes ago, buddha said:

let's look at all the 22 year olds drafted 2 years ago and see how they're doing:

Zach Edey (9th overall), born 3-14-2002. 7' 3" center drafted to rebound, rim-protect, score. 1st year 22 min's/game, 9.2 pts avg. on 61.2/34.5/70.9 shooting. 8.3 rebounds per 22 min's, 1.3 blocks. Injured his 2nd year so incomplete. Although he did start out (in 11 games) at 13.6 pts 1.9 blocks and 11.1 rebounds in 25.8 min's.

Devin Carter (13th overall), 3-18-2002. Scoring (but not very efficient) PG. 1st year 11 min's per game, last year 18.4 min's/ game. 8.9 points in 18 min's on 51.1/26.3/71.3 shooting, 0.9 steals, 2.7 assists to 1.4 to's. Meh. But still a contributor.

Dalton Knecht (17th overall), 4-19-2001. Shooting guard but no D (not a 3&D guy) so 19 min's/game his 1st year and 10 min's (no D) his 2nd year. His 1st year he scored 9.1 pts on 59.4/37.6/76.2 shooting. So he did what he was drafted to do.

Tristan Da Silva (18th overall), 5-15-2001. Shooting wing. 22 minutes/game 1st year, started 34 games 2nd year with 24.7 min's average last year. 9.9 pts on 53.2/37.4/88.4 shooting. 3.7 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 1.6 assists to 0.9 TO's...

Jaylon Tyson, 20th, 12-2-2002, last year 13.2 pts on 53/44.6/73.8 shooting. 5.1 rebounds, 1.2 stocks.

Kyshawn George, 24th overall, 12-12-2003 (20 at time of the draft, very similar to Allen Graves (who is 20) and I'm interested in him...). Shooting wing. Almost immediate starter. Last year 29 min's, 14.8 pts on 48.6/38.1/80.2 shooting. 1.9 stocks. 5.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists.

What did you do Buddha? Pick only SECOND ROUNDERS? I don't want four SECOND ROUNDERS, I want extra FIRST ROUNDERS.

Are you telling me that you would NOT WANT Tristan Da Silva on the Pistons? Right now? Jaylon Tyson? Kyshawn George? Are you kidding me?

Yeesh... you CHERRY-picked.

You LOOKED for the bottom of the barrel.

Not interested.

I want Trajan drafting. NOT YOU buddha. 

[1984Echoes]

55 minutes ago, Betrayer said:

... The mindset has to change this offseason or ...

This is NOT an absolute requirement.

I'll let Trajan do the strategy for the Pistons and be happy with it.

Whichever direction he goes. If he believes it's worth it to pay the price and go with a Murphy trade... I'll be on board.

But it is NOT an (changing the mindset) absolute requirement...

IMO.

[buddha]

5 hours ago, 1984Echoes said:

Zach Edey (9th overall), born 3-14-2002. 7' 3" center drafted to rebound, rim-protect, score. 1st year 22 min's/game, 9.2 pts avg. on 61.2/34.5/70.9 shooting. 8.3 rebounds per 22 min's, 1.3 blocks. Injured his 2nd year so incomplete. Although he did start out (in 11 games) at 13.6 pts 1.9 blocks and 11.1 rebounds in 25.8 min's.

Devin Carter (13th overall), 3-18-2002. Scoring (but not very efficient) PG. 1st year 11 min's per game, last year 18.4 min's/ game. 8.9 points in 18 min's on 51.1/26.3/71.3 shooting, 0.9 steals, 2.7 assists to 1.4 to's. Meh. But still a contributor.

Dalton Knecht (17th overall), 4-19-2001. Shooting guard but no D (not a 3&D guy) so 19 min's/game his 1st year and 10 min's (no D) his 2nd year. His 1st year he scored 9.1 pts on 59.4/37.6/76.2 shooting. So he did what he was drafted to do.

Tristan Da Silva (18th overall), 5-15-2001. Shooting wing. 22 minutes/game 1st year, started 34 games 2nd year with 24.7 min's average last year. 9.9 pts on 53.2/37.4/88.4 shooting. 3.7 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 1.6 assists to 0.9 TO's...

Jaylon Tyson, 20th, 12-2-2002, last year 13.2 pts on 53/44.6/73.8 shooting. 5.1 rebounds, 1.2 stocks.

Kyshawn George, 24th overall, 12-12-2003 (20 at time of the draft, very similar to Allen Graves (who is 20) and I'm interested in him...). Shooting wing. Almost immediate starter. Last year 29 min's, 14.8 pts on 48.6/38.1/80.2 shooting. 1.9 stocks. 5.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists.

What did you do Buddha? Pick only SECOND ROUNDERS? I don't want four SECOND ROUNDERS, I want extra FIRST ROUNDERS.

Are you telling me that you would NOT WANT Tristan Da Silva on the Pistons? Right now? Jaylon Tyson? Kyshawn George? Are you kidding me?

Yeesh... you CHERRY-picked.

You LOOKED for the bottom of the barrel.

Not interested.

I want Trajan drafting. NOT YOU buddha. 

ALL THE PLAYERS I PICKED WERE FIRST ROUNDERS TAKEN AFTER THE PISTONS DRAFT SLOT THIS YEAR.

if ANYONE cherry picked ITS YOU!

take your draft picks and your all caps and your hopium.  they can play right next to future all stars anti tuomisto and william wallinder.

[Deleterious]

I'm lost.  Da Silva and Tyson both averaged 4 PPG in the playoffs.  Tyson only averaged 1.9 ppg against us.  

Why are we wanting to add guys like that?  Aren't those guys arguments for not adding more picks and instead concentrating on bringing in proven NBA talent?

[buddha]

3 hours ago, Deleterious said:

I'm lost.  Da Silva and Tyson both averaged 4 PPG in the playoffs.  Tyson only averaged 1.9 ppg against us.  

Why are we wanting to add guys like that?  Aren't those guys arguments for not adding more picks and instead concentrating on bringing in proven NBA talent?

of course that is the correct argument to make.

again, if you want one developmental guy, ok.  but the pistons are moving into win-now mode in the next few years.  time to think bigger.

[NYLion]

4 hours ago, Deleterious said:

I'm lost.  Da Silva and Tyson both averaged 4 PPG in the playoffs.  Tyson only averaged 1.9 ppg against us.  

Why are we wanting to add guys like that?  Aren't those guys arguments for not adding more picks and instead concentrating on bringing in proven NBA talent?

I don't understand why anybody would want to hoard picks at this stage. The Pistons have made the playoffs two straight years taking a sizeable step each year and they have a top 10 player in the league just entering his prime. The time is now for constructing a championship contending roster and as we saw last year and as anybody can see on paper, the Pistons need to add at least one significant piece if they want to compete with the elite of the league. The #21 pick or any late 1sts in the future aren't likely to be that piece they need and even if they are it won't be for years. If they can parlay 3-4 of those picks into a high level starter then you have to do it. 

IF you look at all the past Championship teams, they've added a big final piece to the roster by trade. I could down the list but anybody who is a basketball fan knows the names. Just to keep it Pistons championship team centric, Dantley then Aguirre and Sheed to name three, Laimbeer and Rip early in the process. At some point the Pistons are going to need to make that big trade to complete the team.

Edited June 16 by NYLion

[Deleterious]

Really soured on him after he admitted to quitting after not making the ASG.

 

Edited June 16 by Deleterious

[Deleterious]

Are we thinking trades are on hold until the Giannis situation is resolved? 

I hope something is done on it before draft night. If they are giving up 2+ first round picks I really want it to be 2026 and 2027. Then 2029 is it's three. 

That gives us flexibility to make a second trade if needed. Where 2027, 29, and 31 handcuffs them a bit more.

[Jimbo]

I want all the Detroit teams to go for championships now.  We went like 10 years without any playoffs so I was good with making the playoffs with a bright future.  Although I feel like all teams have their bases (Wings are debatable) now and don't have early draft picks.  Go for it and if you don't succeed then have a couple of years with retooling.  

Especially for the Pistons with a top 5-10 player in the league.  If you swing and miss, the turnover shouldn't be that long.  I am no longer happy with just being in the playoffs.  I was good not swinging at the deadline because you needed to see what this team looked like in the playoffs and really we were ahead of schedule for our rebuild (less than 3 years away from a 14 win season).   I am good with trading picks and/or any player/s (except Cade).  We need a better #2 than a 33 year old.  Tobias had a very good playoffs but your not going to win a championship with him being your #2.  Duren is only 22 although unless he can all of a sudden have a mid range shot, he will never be a #2.  The rest of the roster is very good and showed they can win games without Cade although we are not a championship team.  Patience for all the Detroit teams is now gone.  We need to start getting some championships.

[NorthWoods]

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

Especially for the Pistons with a top 5-10 player in the league.  

The Ringer says #9.....although I can immediately name 3 ranked above him that I'd quickly nix a trade for:

Kawhi - Giannis - Shai, just because I HATE the flopping.

https://nbarankings.theringer.com/

[Jimbo]

15 minutes ago, NorthWoods said:

The Ringer says #9.....although I can immediately name 3 ranked above him that I'd quickly nix a trade for:

Kawhi - Giannis - Shai, just because I HATE the flopping.

https://nbarankings.theringer.com/

Looking at the list, I think he is definitely a top 5 player I would start my team with based on talent and age.  Honestly if teams were drafting, I think the only players I would put in front on him (now and future) would be SGA and Wemby.  Luka is only 27 but doesn't play defense.  Jokic is 31.  Brunson is 29.  Edwards is the same age but there is no doubt most teams would take Cade over him.  Giannis is 31.  Leonard is 34.  I like Tatum more than most except he just came back from a major injury.  Paulo should be a top 10 (I put him right after Cade and Edwards), especially after last playoffs and his age. 

I know this was based on current talent but his current talent level is still a top 5-10.   Maybe Jokic, Giannis, and Brunson are better now but that is not even 100%.

[NorthWoods]

3 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Looking at the list, I think he is definitely a top 5 player I would start my team with based on talent and age.  Honestly if teams were drafting, I think the only players I would put in front on him (now and future) would be SGA and Wemby.  Luka is only 27 but doesn't play defense.  Jokic is 31.  Brunson is 29.  Edwards is the same age but there is no doubt most teams would take Cade over him.  Giannis is 31.  Leonard is 34.  I like Tatum more than most except he just came back from a major injury.  Paulo should be a top 10 (I put him right after Cade and Edwards), especially after last playoffs and his age. 

I know this was based on current talent but his current talent level is still a top 5-10.   Maybe Jokic, Giannis, and Brunson are better now but that is not even 100%.

Agree on Luka and I don't think Jokic will age well.

[Deleterious]

Langdon to say absolutely nothing at 11am today.

 

[Deleterious]

From the little bit of the presser I saw, you could barely hear Langdon.  Do the Pistons not employ audio people to check levels when setting this up?

 

[Deleterious]

Saw this posted from Marc Stein.

Every single one of those guys mentioned has a serious lack of defense.  

Quote

The Pistons, I'm told, should be monitored as a potential third-team facilitator in a Giannis Antetokounmpo-to-Miami trade ... with Tyler Herro ultimately landing in Detroit.

The Eastern Conference's lone 60-win team this season is known to be eager to add shooting around Cade Cunningham and is believed to be aggressively exploring its options in the marketplace beyond two off-cited trade targets who would be much harder to acquire than Herro: Dallas' Kyrie Irving and New Orleans' Trey Murphy III.

Other players regarded as potentially available and said to interest Detroit include Charlotte's Coby White, Oklahoma City's Isaiah Joe and possibly even Sacramento's Zach LaVine now that LaVine is heading into the final year of a massive contract with a $49 million player option that carries a June 29 deadline to be activated.

 

[Deleterious]

 

[NYLion]

6 hours ago, Deleterious said:

Saw this posted from Marc Stein.

Every single one of those guys mentioned has a serious lack of defense.  

 

I have a lot of time for Herro. I think the Pistons are one of the few teams that could hide his defensive deficiencies and he's a high level shot maker.

[Deleterious]

43 minutes ago, NYLion said:

I have a lot of time for Herro. I think the Pistons are one of the few teams that could hide his defensive deficiencies and he's a high level shot maker.

They couldn't hide Robinson or Harris.  You can make a good argument Herro is the worst defender out of the three.

I am completely against adding one way players.  Even more so when they make $30+ million a year.

[Betrayer]

45 minutes ago, NYLion said:

I have a lot of time for Herro. I think the Pistons are one of the few teams that could hide his defensive deficiencies and he's a high level shot maker.

The thing people like to say about "hiding" someone's defensive deficiencies only applies to the regular season. We hid Duncan all year when nobody looked at scouting reports or had a game plan. Once the playoffs came around we saw screen after screen to target our weakest link.

[Betrayer]

1 hour ago, Deleterious said:

 

I'm guessing this means the Trey Murphy deal is dead otherwise he wouldn't be on the open trade block. Shouldn't be surprised since most times if the fans hear about the deal that means it's already dead. That would also explain Trajan's snippy defensiveness when asked about a trade happening and talking about how GMs are asking for too many assets in return.

[Deleterious]

Something else to consider when taking about hiding bad defenders. 

One of the guys capable of helping hide bad defenders appears to be on the trading block.