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How should Detroit Pistons approach NBA trade deadline?
Omari and Bryce on “The Pistons Pulse” break down what options are available to Pistons and what type of move they might make at NBA trade deadline.
The Detroit Pistons have stayed patient heading into the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, Feb. 5. Sunday’s dominance over the Brooklyn Nets had plenty of examples as to why.
It was the largest margin of victory in franchise history — a 53-point shellacking of one of the league’s worst teams. All-Star starter Cade Cunningham had a near-flawless performance that included four steals and three blocks. Newly named All-Star reserve Jalen Duren owned the paint, and the glass. Ausar Thompson wreaked havoc on opposing ballhandlers and in passing lanes.
The performance, which kept the Pistons’ hold atop the Eastern Conference at 5½ games, illustrated why the front office is bullish on the team’s future. They’re 36-12 – well on pace for 61 wins, with one of the league’s youngest cores.
There’s a reluctance to shake up a group that has exceeded expectations and, theoretically, has yet to play its best basketball. The Pistons’ top players all being 24 or younger. But one name continues to pop up in the rumor mill.
Nets forward Michael Porter Jr., who missed Sunday’s game in Detroit due to, as listed on the NBA’s availability report, “personal reasons,” has been one of the hottest names on the market. He has long been thought, by many around the league, as an ideal fit on a Pistons team that needs what he brings — lights-out shooting at the four and a true secondary option who can take the pressure off of Cunningham.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported Saturday that the Pistons have “continued to internally weigh the idea of pursuing” Porter or Charlotte Hornets forward (Michigan State alumnus) Miles Bridges. Recent history suggests the Pistons will need a scorer of Porter’s caliber to make an NBA Finals push.
Here’s why Porter makes sense, and what it could cost to get him.
Michael Porter Jr. addresses Pistons’ biggest weakness
It has been a career season for the 6-foot-10 forward, who is averaging 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game on 48.2% shooting (including 39.8% shooting from 3). Porter has a strong championship after winning a title with the Denver Nuggets in 2023, as a third option behind Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
He is one of the league’s best shooters, by any measurement. He is fourth leaguewide in 3-point attempts per game (9.6) and, according to Cleaning the Glass, is in the 81st percentile among wings in percentage. But his impact goes beyond his shooting: He’s also a strong finisher and has taken a step forward as a playmaker this season.
Porter would boost a Pistons offense that ranks slightly above average despite its inconsistency from behind the arc. Detroit takes 3-pointers at the fourth-lowest rate in the league and knocks them down at a 34.9% clip, tied for 21st (with the Indiana Pacers). Poor shooting has hurt the Pistons in recent games — they shot 21.9% on 3s in a home loss to the Houston Rockets on Jan. 23, 19.4% in Tuesday’s close road win over the Denver Nuggets and 20.7% in Thursday’s road loss to the Phoenix Suns.
The Pistons’ spacing has been reliant upon Duncan Robinson, a knockdown shooter in his own right as he hits 39.3% of his attempts this season. Porter is among the best shooters Detroit could land. More importantly, he is an efficient, high-volume scorer that would diversify the Pistons’ offense and make it tough for opposing defenses to throw multiple bodies at Cunningham.
A trade for Michael Porter Jr. that works
The 27-year-old is making $38.3 million this season and $40.8 million in the final year of his deal next season. It’s a high number, but his contract would be off of the books before a potential extension for Thompson kicks in for the 2027-28. The move:
Pistons send: Tobias Harris, Caris LeVert, 2026 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick (top-four protected).
Nets send: Michael Porter Jr.
It’s difficult to come up with a practical trade for Porter without including Harris, as his $26.6 million expiring contract is necessary for salary-matching purposes. Combined with LeVert’s $14.1 million salary, it’s almost a perfect match. LeVert has another season remaining on his deal, for $14.8 million.
The upside of this deal for the Nets is landing two first-round picks, with the 2028 pick lightly protected in the Pistons’ favor. Given that this year’s first-rounder is likely to be among the final first-rounders based on the Pistons’ current trajectory, it likely would take more than one pick to entice the Nets into a trade.
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Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on X @omarisankofa.