Three Forwards the Detroit Pistons Could Trade for
With the NBA Trade Deadline approaching, the Detroit Pistons may look to trade for an offensive-minded forward. Here are three names they should consider.
The NBA Trade Deadline is next week. The Pistons are expected to be a player in the trade market, armed with an open roster spot and $14 million in cap space.
Last week, I covered three guards that the Pistons could consider trading for over the next week.
Today, I’m moving to the forward spot. I don’t view this position as an area of concern as much as Detroit needs an additional ball-handler, but I understand why others feel the Pistons must upgrade the wing.
Tobias Harris has been fine this season. The offensive numbers don't necessarily pop off the screen, but the Pistons are at their best when he is on the floor.
Both Ron Holland and Ausar Thompson have had their respective moments, but limitations to what each of them is capable of on offense can be a hindrance at times. This is especially true when J.B. Bickerstaff places them on the floor together.
The most significant reason the Pistons could look for help at the forward spot is due to the inconsistent production from Simone Fontecchio.
He’s shooting just 40% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc this season. Last year, in 16 games with Detroit, he was shooting at a 48% and 42.6% clip from those respective areas.
The regression has been harsh as Fontecchio has slid down into a lesser-featured role off Detroit’s bench.
Cameron Johnson
Let’s start with the pipe dream scenario for Detroit. I’ve tried putting Johnson on the Pistons since he entered the 2019 NBA Draft.
Now, after Troy Weaver failed to sign him in free agency a few offseasons ago, here we are. Again.
Johnson is amidst the best season of his career, and has been a hot name in the trade market. During the season, he has averaged 19.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, with 41.9% shooting from the 3-point line.
At just 28 years old, he provides strong two-way play from the forward position. He is under contract through the 2026-27 season.
Johnson would provide Detroit with a much-needed scoring boost and add additional floor spacing to a team that thrives when outside shots are falling.
The difficulty in acquiring Johnson comes with Brooklyn’s asking price. The Nets reportedly want two first round picks in any deal for him. Detroit does not have a current first round pick to deal. The first rounder they could move comes in 2028.
There are several other teams interested in Johnson, and even if the asking price does eventually come down a bit, the Pistons likely won’t have the best offer out there.
As much as Johnson would help Detroit, it seems unrealistic that he finds himself a Piston come next week.
Bobby Portis
Another guy that I’ve tried to put on the Pistons at one point or another.
It hasn’t been a banner year for Bobby Portis, or the Milwaukee Bucks for that matter. The soon-to-be 30-year-old is having his least efficient season in a long time, and his struggles on the defensive end are documented.
Yet, Portis is still averaging 13.4 points and 7.9 rebounds in less than 25 minutes per game. While he’s shooting just 36.4% from deep this season, he shot over 40% last year, and is a career 38.3% shooting from behind the longline.
The Bucks have made Portis available.
He’d give Detroit a bigger option at the four that can space the floor or move up to their center spot.
Perhaps Portis just needs a change of scenery to reignite his game. At his contract and perceived value, the Pistons feel like a team that could make a lot of sense as a landing spot for him.
Detroit could easily use their cap space to absorb Portis’ contract. He has a player option for next season worth just under $13.5 million.
Duncan Robinson
If the Pistons are looking to add more shooting at the deadline — especially if they end up moving on from any of Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., or Fontecchio — they could look to bring on Robinson as a replacement for that theoretical loss.
Robinson is making $20 million next season, and his production has tapered off over the last few years. He should not be hard to acquire, should a team want to.
He doesn’t particularly thrill me as a trade candidate, but several in the online Pistons community have already covered potential trade candidates, and I wanted to be a little different from the rest of the community.
Still, Robinson’s shooting would be a fine addition for the Pistons.
Miami is always a landing spot for potential stars, so they may need to open cap space to make that possible. Getting off Robinson’s money would certainly help them in that regard. Miami may have to attach draft capital to Robinson, which would make acquiring him a bit more ideal for Detroit.
On the season, Robinson is averaging 11.2 points and 2.7 assists on 37.8% shooting from the 3-point line.