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The Detroit Pistons had a successful season. At 44 wins against 38 losses, they more than tripled their wins from last season (14). Cade Cunningham established himself as an NBA All Star, deserving of All-Pro status, and he looks the part of a future superstar. 

Losing in six games to the New York Knicks in the first round of the NBA playoffs was difficult to watch, mostly because the Pistons looked like the better team most of the series. 

The past is finished. No need to look back any further. Now is the time to look forward. 

Who should the Pistons add to improve the team and win the NBA Championship? 

It’s obvious, but true. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo is an NBA champion, Finals MVP, regular season MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. He averages 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and five assists for his career, but he has averaged more than 30 points per game over the last three seasons. 

No price in draft picks and players, apart from Cunningham, is too much to pay. In the Pistons’ favor is that Giannis wants to win and win now. He’s obsessed with winning more championships, and he may realize leaving Milwaukee is necessary to achieve championship heights again. Alongside Cunningham, Giannis could create a dynasty in Detroit. 

Cunningham, 23, is signed for the next five years. Giannis has three years remaining on his contract, with the third year being a player option, per Spotrac. He is 30 years old, still in his prime. The next three years could be a return to glory in Detroit if the Pistons trade for Giannis. 

What would a trade package look like? 

The most comparable example to follow is the Minnesota Timberwolves’ trade for Rudy Gobert, in 2022. The package of players included four first round picks and one first round pick swap, as well as a five players, per Taylor Nardinger of NBA.com. Minnesota was widely seen to have overpaid for Gobert, but Milwaukee will use this as a template. 

Detroit has better players to offer for Giannis, but four first round picks is what it will take. Pay it. Try to hold on to Ausar Thompson. Cade Cunningham is untouchable. With respect to the fact that players are people and have loved ones to consider, the remaining roster is negotiable. 

The Pistons are in the enviable position of having a superstar already on the roster and flexibility with its salary cap to pull off a move for Giannis. According to Spotrac, the Pistons have more than $50 million in cap holds. These are pending free agents and draft rights that can be signed and traded in the package for Giannis to enable the team to absorb his contract, just more than $54 million for next season. 

Do the deal, Detroit. 

Create the NBA’s next dynasty. 

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