The NBA Trade Deadline is looming, and we have already seen a few wild moves. On Thursday, Feb. 6th at 3:00 PM the NBA will no longer allow trading between organizations. How can the Pistons take advantage of this year’s deadline? Lets talk about it.

First things first, are the Pistons buying or selling? Neither, really. I believe Detroit is softly looking to upgrade. They know they aren’t ready yet, so they won’t be mortgaging their future (I hope) to add someone this time. However, its not out of the realm of possibility for them to make some moves. First, lets go over the possible trade candidates that are currently on the roster.

F, Tim Hardaway Jr:

Tim was traded to Detroit from Dallas back in July, and he has been a pleasant surprise for the Pistons. Averaging 10.8 PPG, 2.2 RPG, and 1.5 APG shooting 41.7% from the field and 37.7% from 3. However, that is while averaging 28.5 MPG, and you would like to see a bit more from someone playing almost 30 minutes per game. Hardaway is also on an expiring deal, getting just over $16 million this year, making him an even better candidate. Detroit needs to try and move off expiring deals to try and gain future assets. Hardaway is the perfect trade option, and would likely be best as a 2nd piece to a bigger trade. If not, you likely just get a few 2nd rounders and maybe a younger prospect. If he isn’t moved, no big deal. Pistons keep a solid shooter to have around Cade.

C, Isaiah Stewart:

Beef Stew is not that likely to be traded in my opinion. He is on a cheaper deal and sort of embodies the team on the court. He is still pretty young, and has shown potential. However, the production just isn’t there. Averaging 5.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 1.7 APG on 20.2 MPG just isn’t cutting it for that $15 million per year contract he is currently signed to. He, much like Hardaway, will likely be a piece of a larger trade. I don’t necessarily see Stewart being moved. Mainly because I’m not sure what deal could be made with his current play. He is worth keeping if you don’t get the right package, as he offers solid defense and has the right mentality for this team.

F, Simone Fontecchio:

Fontecchio was added at last year’s deadline, and was a surprisingly good addition. He signed a 2 year deal worth $16 million over the summer, which is a solid value. I wouldn’t necessarily be pushing to move him, as he is a solid scorer to have in the rotation. However, his production is lacking a bit this season. He is averaging 6.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 0.9 APG on 17.8 MPG. Last season, he doubled all but rebounds, where he had 1.4 more per game. That likely is due to his minutes going down from 30.2 MPG last year to 17.8 MPG this season. Nevertheless, Fontecchio has a useful skillset with his 6’7″ frame, shooting 40% from the field and 34% from 3. His contract also would help his trade value, as a contender could make a move for him rather easily. I see Fontecchio being traded on his own most likely, to a contender who needs some more depth. However, I don’t know if I just give him away either. Trading him would open up a hole in the rotation, and unless he’s packaged to upgrade, I don’t really see the point.

F, Tobias Harris:

Last, but certainly not least, we have Tobias Harris. Harris was brought to Detroit to be that consistent, steady, 2nd option for Cade. That has not worked out so far. I was not a fan of the Harris addition over the summer. It felt to me like grasping at straws, $25 million a year straws. Harris has not been consistent, nor good enough this season. He is averaging 12.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 2.4 APG. Not really all that terrible, until you notice he is playing 32 MPG. His shooting splits are fine, 44.6% from the field and 33% from 3. But they aren’t good enough. This signing has turned out to be exactly what I feared; the Pistons wasted money on a guy who is past his prime. They would likely be lucky to move him, it is likely that he will be used as a way to make salaries match. I expect him to be involved if the Pistons make any “splash” moves. Harris is really the one asset I don’t want on this team past Thursday. It was just a bad signing to me.

Now that we have done that, lets move on to possible players the Pistons could trade for.

F, Brandon Ingram, New Orleans:

The rumors have been there for a while, and Ingram would be a really nice fit next to Cade. The real problem is the Pelicans likely aren’t that interested in the assets the Pistons have to move. If I’m Detroit, I am trying to keep all of my picks. I don’t really see a way New Orleans moves Ingram to Detroit this deadline. Just not enough capital for Detroit to get this deal done. NOLA isn’t giving up Ingram for Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway, no way. There have been rumors of a different trade involving New Orleans and Detroit. No rumors on what players might be involved. As of now, it sounds more like a cost cutting trade for New Orleans than one that moves the needle for Detroit.

G, CJ McCollum, New Olreans:

Another Pelican, however, this one is much more realistic. The Pistons have smartly saved around $14 million of cap space, and it might come in handy very soon. McCollum would be a great pairing for Cade, a scoring guard who is used to being 2nd or 3rd fiddle, so he doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective. He is averaging 21.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 3.8 APG while shooting 44.8% from the field and 36.7% from 3. Safe to say, McCollum would immediately become the Pistons 2nd option, and would be a nice addition. I could see a trade involving Tim Hardaway Jr and a few picks, maybe also Fontecchio. As New Orleans is only $1.4 million over the luxury tax threshold, they could afford to take both players. They wont be giving him away by any means either. The problem with CJ is he is due $33 million this year, and $30 million next, which would cripple the Pistons cap space for this summers free agency. I would be ok with trading Harris for him straight up, because we need to get Harris’ contract off the books if we are going to take this one on. This is probably the most realistic option that actually moves the needle for Detroit.

G, Jose Alvarado, New Orleans:

Another Pelican, this one would be more realistic. Alvarado is having somewhat of a down season, averaging just 9.7 PPG, 4.1 APG, and 2.0 RPG while shooting 40.4% from the field and 41.3% from 3. He is a defensive minded point, so he wouldn’t come in and be that 2nd option for Cade. But he’s young, cheap, and fits the play style of this Pistons team. He could be a solid backup Point and could play next to Cade as a ball stopper. He is signed to a 1 year $4.5 million contract next season.

C, Nikola Vucevic, Chicago:

Vucevic is a not-so-likely trade candidate. He’s expensive, and doesn’t truly move the needle for the Pistons much. You would also have to give up a decent price for him. I am really only including him because I have seen him tied to Detroit via reports. The only way I do this is if it is for Harris and a few 2nd rounders, and even then. I doubt Chicago does that, as there will be more willing teams in need of Nikola this deadline.

F, Jimmy Butler, Miami:

Butler is the only real “star” that is available, so it felt wrong leaving him off. Butler would fit on the court, and would likely bring some of that feisty veteran play he has been known for. I could see this working out great, or terribly. Butler has already told Golden State no, so I’d be surprised if he decided Detroit was the spot for him. He will likely command a decent asking price, think all of the players I mentioned before, plus picks. Which is a big reason I would not do this move. Butler would have to sign a new deal, and I just don’t see him looking at Detroit as long term. The only real possibility I see is if Detroit is the only place not afraid to trade for him without a future promise. Butler and Cunningham would be one of the better duos in the East, but I doubt it really moves the needle all that much. You still have to get through Boston, and you likely only have a few years of Butler to do it.

There are many other players available, and we could spend all day talking about every single one. However, I think it is most likely the Pistons make a move with New Orleans. Not the Ingram or McCollum deals, either. It is most likely that Detroit makes a small move to try and get a little better, while not giving up future assets. I just really hope they can offload that Tobias Harris contract, and get something solid in return. With Ivey going down, the Pistons need scoring help more than ever before. They were already looking for help before the injury. The Pistons are in an odd spot. Not having a plethora of picks, expiring contracts, or aging stars, they don’t have a lot of capital to work with. With how good the Celtics are also, it might be a moot point to try and add winning pieces right now. Realistically, the Pistons are just trying to have a winning season for the first time since 2015. Playoffs would be cool too. But don’t hold your breath on that one.