Pistons Trade Idea Has Team Taking Big Swing Towards Title Contention

Are the Detroit Pistons true title contenders? As of Tuesday, they are the number one seed in the East by 2.5 games, and hold the league’s second-best record of 23–6. Yet still, not everyone is convinced that the Pistons are a real threat to win it all this season. 

Part of that is because they are young and relatively inexperienced. They are also in the Eastern Conference, which is historically weaker and less competitive. Many people believe that if the Pistons are going to be able to compete with teams like the Thunder and Nuggets, they may need to make a trade to strengthen their roster before the playoffs. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed “1 Trade Every NBA Team Would Make If the Deadline Was Today,” and he thought up a trade that could solidify them as true threats to win it all. 

"The trade: Tobias Harris, Ron Holland II, 2027 first-round pick (top-5 protected), and 2030 first-round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans for Trey Murphy III, Saddiq Bey, and Micah Peavy

Look at the Pistons' roster, and it's hard not to notice their lack of a legitimate co-star for Cade Cunningham. Look across the trade landscape, though, and it's not much easier to find a good fit.

Unless, of course, Detroit could land someone who'd be both a big upgrade now and someone who would stick around for a while. Someone like Murphy, a 25-year-old near-star swingman who'd bring versatile defense, high-level shooting, and maybe more scoring support than Cunningham has ever had."

While Trey Murphy III might not be the biggest star on the trade market, he would be a complete game-changer for the Pistons. Murphy is averaging 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in New Orleans. Adding him to an already young and talented Pistons roster would instantly give them a much better chance at competing with the best teams in the West.