Shams Charania of ESPN reported last week that the Pistons were expected to be among the suitors for Mavericks big man Anthony Davis. However, league sources tell Hunter Patterson of The Athletic that Davis isn’t currently on Detroit’s radar, as the team is focused on “internal growth” rather than a major win-now acquisition.
As Patterson notes, president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon has publicly stated multiple times that the Pistons want to build patiently and continue developing their promising young core. Detroit improved to 21-5 on Monday after picking up a victory in Boston, and currently holds the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Langdon said a couple weeks ago that the front office would be “opportunistic” if the right trade opportunity presents itself, but the team didn’t plan to aggressively seek out upgrades. Patterson has heard similarly, writing that the Pistons are “content” with the current roster and aren’t contemplating any drastic shakeups.
Patterson acknowledges that stance could change in the weeks leading up to the February 5 deadline, but as of now, a marginal upgrade looks far more likely than a blockbuster deal.
If the Pistons do decide a major trade is necessary down the line, they would probably be better off making that type of move in the offseason, when Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey will be restricted free agents and Ausar Thompson and Isaiah Stewart will be up for extensions, Patterson notes. Acquiring a maximum-salary star like Davis would significantly impact the team’s financial flexibility moving forward, on top of the risk inherent in dealing for an oft-injured player who’s on the wrong side of 30.
Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press explained a few days ago why a Pistons trade for Davis was unlikely, reporting that the two teams hadn’t had any talks about the 32-year-old forward/center. Keith Langlois of Pistons.com was also dubious about the possibility of an in-season deal for the 10-time All-Star.
Trade Harris, Klintman, Chaz Lanier and a 1st for Nic Claxton
Sign Taj Gibson, promote Jenkins and look at another two way guy
Or trade Klintman and Lanier for a draft pick and promote Jenkins and sign Wiseman
Tan has been good for 10 mins or less since 2022.
Taj*
no smart gm is trying to win now with street clothes, he’s gonna end up on the bulls who are run horribly or Sacramento who are bulls west, those are basically the only 2 teams dumb enough to trade for him, well I mean now that Nico is a regional sales director for enterprise rent a car
I actually like this trade for one pick and a player. I think Anthony Davis puts Detroit over the top. He’s the perfect playstyle with Cade and the team will not need him to the playoffs. Davis was available for the 2 years in the playoffs before this last year. So I think if he ramps up in the spring. He would be a good get around February trade deadline if you only have to give up one pic. Plus he could play the power forward because they have Duran and Isaiah Stewart who would kind of be his muscle. The defense would be pretty hard to guard. And if you’ve been watching Dallas play when he plays, he’s actually pretty good still
Over the top of what? He’s still pretty good but where does he get them? No further than the second round. Next season with a chance to gel he might get to the ECF but they’re still an impact player away from the finals.
Have you seen him when he plays he is a inside and outside threat. Let’s not act like AD is not a superstar. He has just been injured. Again he doesn’t have to be the man. They are playing well and adding another guy who can command a double team puts them over the top. Plus his defense for when the game slows down. He be the perfect playstyle with Detroit. Problem is what does Dalles want. I personally don’t think Dallas is even trying to trade him.
I mean if they get him for a discount price then sure. Not sure the Mavs want to just off load Davis. Sounds like they are fine to keep him around if no one wants to put a good deal on the table.
Offer Harris, LeVert, Ivey, Lanier, Holland, Klintman and three 1st to Brooklyn for Micheal Porter Jr, Nic Claxton and Cam Thomas. Highsmith is waived in the beginning
Sign Reggie Jackson and Taj Gibson
This makes Detroit a championship team
Anyone? I’m just toooo good for you all
This is random
Patrick Baldwin is 7’0 now I guess
In this league salaries matter more than talent. Nothing is worse than a bloated contract and nothing better than a rising draft pick on a rookie scale contract.
Too expensive, too often injured, too old. We all understand is a business and somebody out there is trying to push for value for Davis, but dumb GM’s would sacrifice future needed budget and young players for a not so bright present in Davis.
This is the practical, smart non move.
PISTONS get to see how deep a playoff run their core can get.
They don’t need AD, for now.
It’s like the league is dying for Detroit to trade all of their elite young pieces away.
realistically.. what does Dallas expect to get back for AD .. every other GM knows he was the main piece of one of the most lopsided trades ever .. and the stigma that follows .. AD won’t be able to stay healthy enough to shake that reputation.. what GM want’s to take that risk
Don’t underestimate the allure of a star and the delusion that runs through some front offices…,but I agree he probably stays a mav.
Another reporter, Captain Obvious, has also confirmed this story.
Why does Taj Gibson’s name keep…
nevermind
It’s good to have a real man in the locker room instead of boys leading each other
If the Pistons want a bigger trade, I could see someone like Michael Porter, Jr. Not AD. He is very skilled and the right age. Tobias and Caris plus 2 1sts for the tanking Nets. Maybe a couple l e 2nds too, or a pick swap.
AD to the Pistons makes zero sense. He doesn’t fit the timeline long term, he’s too expensive, and he doesn’t fit from a basketball perspective.
How are you going to play him next to Duren and Thompson? They would have zero spacing. None of those guys can shoot 3s.
Cade needs space to be effective. The only thing the Pistons really need is more shooting. Duncan Robinson is really the only reliable shooter they have right now.
Trey Murphy would be my ideal trade target for them, but I don’t think the Pelicans would trade him. He can shoot and is also a solid defender. He would fit in any of their lineup configurations.
A 3 and D wing and possibly a back up PG is the only thing the Pistons really need in my opinion.
They don’t need AD at all. It’s a 5 second conversation.