In an offseason with a lot of uncertainty facing all 30 NBA franchises for the upcoming season, the Detroit Pistons’ front office did everything they could to build their team for the future now. Whether through the draft or through free agency, the Pistons made a lot of key moves this offseason to add talent.
In the 2020 NBA Draft, the Pistons were aggressive as they ended up with three first-round selections in Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, and Saddiq Bey, all of which have a lot of potential for growth and can be built with for years to come in Detroit.
In free agency, the Pistons went out and instead of worrying about financials and salary restrictions, signed players that can help them get back to winning ways and be great additions next to their young core. Jerami Grant was their main free agency signing as they locked him up for three-years, worth about $60M. The team also signed Jahlil Okafor, a former top pick whose career has not panned out the way he had hoped, and veteran Mason Plumlee.
With Blake Griffin’s contract set to expire after next season if he chooses to opt out and other veteran player’s contracts set to expire, like Derrick Rose, the Pistons could be in a position to either go after an All-Star talent via trade, or be aggressive in the coming years in free agency.
One player who has had a lot of trade rumors circulating around him is Russell Westbrook, who could wind up in Detroit if the Pistons want Westbrook to be at the forefront of their new team. Whether it is Westbrook or someone else, the Pistons need an All-Star caliber guard to pair with Killian Hayes in the backcourt if they are to be as successful as they hope to be.
Westbrook could be a perfect fit for the new-look Pistons because, at 32-years of age, he is not only hungry to win but could be the leader of a team without an identity at this point. Detroit does have a lot of salary restrictions post-free agency and would likely have to hold off making any blockbuster trade until near the trade deadline, but he wants out of Houston and the Pistons could easily get in the mix.
Here is the best trade the Detroit Pistons could offer at this point to the Houston Rockets in exchange for the nine-time All-Star and triple-double machine known as Russell Westbrook.
