Trade rumors swirl around the Detroit Pistons as the deadline approaches but with the team sitting comfortably atop the Eastern Conference, they don’t need to make an aggressive move.
The Detroit Pistons are 31-10 and 5.5 games ahead of the second ranked Boston Celtics. Despite the amount of success the team has achieved so far, trade rumors persist in an effort to further improve the team.
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The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5, 2026.
One of the areas where the Pistons could improve is three-point shooting. The Pistons shoot 35% from three-point range this season which is ranked 18th in the league. There is concern that the lack of shooting could be exploited in the playoffs.
Michael Porter Jr. Potential Trade
A shooter being connected to the Pistons in trade rumors is Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. The veteran forward could immediately address the Pistons’ shooting issue as he is averaging a career-high 26 PPG, 3 AST, 7 REB on 49% from the field and 40% from three-point range (9.5 attempts per game).
Porter Jr. has two years remaining on his contract where he is earning $38M this season and $40M next season. The Pistons would likely have to trade starting forward Tobias Harris, reserve guard Caris Levert and possibly 2022 5th overall pick Jaden Ivey in order for the trade to be successful.
While Porter Jr. is possibly the best option as far as fixing Detroit’s shooting issue, it may not be the best course of action as the Pistons would be trading away a valuable contributor and stabilizer in Harris and Ivey before he fully regains his rhythm and assumes his potential.
Harris is averaging 14 PPG, 5 REB and 3 AST on 47% from the field and 34% from three-point range. Harris’ impact goes beyond the box score, contributing as a solid and savvy defender as well as a veteran leader on the team. Harris is a key part of the team’s identity and chemistry as he is endearingly nicknamed ‘Unc’ by his teammates.
Ivey is recovering from two major leg surgeries and has been slowly integrating back into the rotation under a 20 minute restriction. The former lottery pick has shown flashes of returning to the level of play from before his injury but needs more time to gain rhythm.
Despite the slow grind back to full form, Ivey has proved to be an important piece in the Pistons’ recent wins against the Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns.
Ivey made two fourth-quarter threes along with two blocks against the Celtics. Against the Suns Ivey scored 15 points on six of eight shooting from the field. Having his level of talent and potential on the bench could be valuable.
The move is also a risk due to Porter Jr.’s extensive injury history, although he has been relatively healthy over the past three seasons.
Jaren Jackson Jr. Potential Trade
Another possible trade the Pistons have been linked to is Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. The eighth-year forward out of Michigan State is one of the league’s best two-way players averaging 19 PPG, 6 REB and 2 AST on 48% from the field and 37% from three-point range. Jackson, who was the 2022-2023 Defensive Player of the Year also contributes 1.5 BLK and 1 STL per game this season.
Jackson Jr. addresses multiple issues for the Pistons with improved shooting from the forward position, while also adding prowess to one of the best defensives in the league.
The Grizzlies have not indicated that Jackson Jr. is available for trade and the Pistons have not indicated serious interest.
The trade would certainly be costly as Jackson Jr. renegotiated with the Grizzlies in the 2025 offseason, signing to a five-year $205M contract.
The Pistons would have to trade Harris, at least one of their talented young core and several draft picks in order for the trade to go through.
Jackson Jr. would be under contract through the 2029-2030 season, which would jeopardize the Pistons’ future financial flexibility.
The move would go against everything Pistons General Manager Trajan Langdon has preached throughout his tenure, which is internal development and improvement through the draft. It’s a huge swing for a player that could potentially interrupt the team’s current chemistry and identity.
The Pistons’ front office wants to see how their young core of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland, Marcus Sasser and Daniss Jenkins develop together. So far, the core has developed ahead of schedule.
The Pistons lead the Eastern Conference at the halfway point of the season for the first time in 20 years.
Assuming Duren is set to receive a max contract extension in the 2026 offseason, the Pistons will still maintain financial flexibility and draft capital if they don’t swing at an expensive trade.
Pistons’ Championship Window
Perhaps the urgency of the trade rumors is influenced by the Pistons’ overwhelming success and the perception that the championship window is right now.
The Pistons certainly have a chance to make it to the finals with their current roster. Even with the shooting and secondary scoring concerns, the Pistons are still dominating the regular season with defense and paint points.
That dominance will remain for several years if the front office remains confident in the fact that this roster has built an identity and chemistry that is unlike most teams in the league today.