Although there has been some speculation that the Pistons could try to make a major win-now move to fortify their roster ahead of the playoffs, multiple sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints that Detroit is unlikely to deal away any of its core players, a group that includes Tobias Harris, Jaden Ivey and Isaiah Stewart.
It’s a little strange to see Harris, who is currently out with a hip strain, described as part of the Pistons’ “core,” considering he’s the oldest player (33) on the roster and on an expiring $26.6MM contract. But evidently the team values his contributions and veteran leadership.
According to Siegel, if Detroit’s front office — led by president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon — changes that stance, Trey Murphy III would be a player to watch. Langdon used to be New Orleans’ GM and was part of the group that drafted Murphy.
Here are a few more items of interest from Siegel’s latest rumor round-up:
- The Suns have been scouring the market for a “cheap forward upgrade,” according to Siegel, who says Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and Nick Richards have all been made available in trade talks.
- Reiterating a point recently made by Marc Stein, Siegel cites sources who say the Raptors are viewed as a buyer heading into the deadline, with Domantas Sabonis, Ja Morant and Murphy among the players they’ve considered pursuing. Toronto appears willing to part with its 2026 first-round pick in search of win-now upgrades, according to Siegel, who writes that Ochai Agbaji is likely to be on the move before the deadline, and if a bigger trade is made, Immanuel Quickley may be involved.
- A recent report said the Pelicans have been rebuffing trade inquiries on forwards Murphy and Herbert Jones, among others. Rival teams think that’s due to a combination of a high asking price and being underwhelmed by opposing offers. According to Siegel, New Orleans is looking for two first-round picks for Jones and three for Murphy, plus young players. Siegel hears the Pelicans are also trying to get back into the 2026 draft after sending out their own selection last year for Derik Queen; they’ve been talking to projected playoff teams (in the 20-30 range) about that possibility.
- While the Thunder are considered unlikely to make any type of significant change to their roster prior to the deadline, it’s possible they could look to either consolidate some of their 2026 first-round picks for a more valuable selection or trade them for future draft assets, per Siegel. That may happen closer to the draft, Siegel notes. Dan Woike of The Athletic, citing sources, also hears rival teams think the Thunder will try to turn some of this year’s first-rounders — they could have as many as four — into future assets.
IMO, there are many negative assets in the nba
Sometimes negative assets are good assets.
negative assets = unwanted player + first round picks
Example: Zach LaVine is negative asset
Immanuel Quickley – $130 million contract, FG 42% and %35%
Jakob Poeltl – $122 million contract, 10 pts and 8 rebs per game
If Raptors want to acquire LaVine, Kings would demand a first round pick from Raptors
Same as Bucks – if Bucks want LaVine
Suns are playing well without Jalen Green.. Team who needs a SG should talk to Suns.
Jalen Green doesn’t help any team. Look how much better Houston is without him.
… lost 3 in a row 4 out of 5 and currently a play in team. It would seem you are factually incorrect at this point.
Houston was 2nd in the West last year with Green as their leading scorer.
He is a good young player IMO.
Yeah that must be it. …..
If the Raptors are giving up their 2026 1st, the target should be Sabonis. He’s a drama free all-star, highly respected by other players and worth the 1st. He’s the anti-Morant.
I like this take – maybe the only place in the NBA where a Sabonis trade makes sense – except one way he’s not the anti-Morant is they’re both game-breaking defensive liabilities. Do the Raptors have the defenders to cover for Sabonis’ lack of rim protection?
They need a center badly , but I wouldn’t want to give up Barret in Kings deal
With Clippers possibly getting themselves out of the bottom. OKC would probably trade some of the picks back for 2032-33 1st.
The only guy they can move this year is O.Dieng unless they bring him back on a cheap minimum. Really not much you can get for $6mill in the trade market these days.
Zion Williamson for Tobias, Holland and a first.
Cade Thompson Zion Duren that’s your core
As for the Suns and that forward upgrade,
Grayson Allen and Royce for John Collins and Cam Christie.
Might not sound like much of an upgrade but Collins has a good expiring contract where’s Grayson and Royce don’t so you might marginally get slightly better or worse, this offseason you clear a bunch of salary off the books and can use that to get better.
The other option is a real long shot but Jalen Green and Royce plus a first for Ja Morant and GG Jackson.
Ja and Book as your backcourt, Ja linked back up with Brooks, GG in there as well. Not a bad return for Memphis in comparison to what ATL got for Trae.
Holland isn’t going anywhere