The Detroit Pistons did exactly what they projected they would do for months — they decided to forgo a big swing that would cost major assets and instead worked on the edges of the roster to ensure that they were shoring up the biggest weakness on the team — shooting.
They didn’t add Michael Porter Jr., they didn’t make a big swing for Kawhi Leonard at the last minute, and they didn’t move any young core players or the big-salaried locker room presence of Tobias Harris. Instead, they gave one player no
longer part of the future a fresh start and added a wing with some size who has historically, but not recently, shown that he can hit perimeter shots.
Here’s a summary of where things stand for the team after the NBA trade deadline:
The players the Pistons acquired:
- Kevin Huerter
- Dario Saric (likely to be waived)
- 2026 Pick Swap with the Minnesota Timberwolves (top-19 protected)
The picks and players the Pistons sent out:
- Jaden Ivey
What it Means
Jaden Ivey is entering restricted free agency and no longer part of the Pistons’ plans. The writing was on the wall, and he wanted out so he could land somewhere with steady minutes and more offensive responsibility as he looks to get healthy and re-establish himself as a quality young player in the NBA.
He is being replaced by Kevin Huerter, a 6-foot-6 wing who has three inches on Ivey and is a 37% 3-point shooter. He’s struggled mightily this season (31%) and last, but he shoots at volume and will likely be more respected by defenses as a perimeter shooter than Ivey would have been.
The Pistons needed to add some size and stretch to the roster, and Huerter checks those boxes. But he needs to hit his shots, and he needs to shoot at volume. Having a second shooter to play alongside Duncan Robinson or to replace Robinson if you need a slightly better defender without losing the shooting threat.
The new, full Pistons roster
- Cade Cunningham
- Duncan Robinson
- Ausar Thompson
- Tobias Harris
- Jalen Duren
- Isaiah Stewart
- Ron Holland
- Kevin Huerter
- Javonte Green
- Daniss Jenkins (two-way)
- Caris LeVert
- Paul Reed
- Marcus Sasser
- Chaz Lanier
- Bobi Klintman
- Dario Saric
- Tolu Smith (two-way)
- Wendell Moore (two-way)
Though nothing is official yet, in the next day or so, the Pistons are expected to waive Dario Saric to create the roster room necessary to sign Daniss Jenkins to a standard NBA contract.
Pistons draft picks remaining
- 2026 1st (best of Minnesota Timberwolves or Detroit Pistons if Minnesota picks lands between 20-30).
- 2027 1st
- 2028 1st
- 2029 1st
- 2030 1st
- 2031 1st
- 2032 1st
The Pistons also own 15 future second-round picks between 2026-32.
Should the Pistons look for additional help in the buyout market?
The Pistons’ roster is full so adding any additional players would require releasing someone already on the roster. That would likely mean letting go of a developmental player such as Bobi Klintman, rookie Chaz Lanier, or Marcus Sasser, who is buried on the depth chart.
