With Zach LaVine out for the season, Sixers forward Tobias Harris may be the Pistons‘ top trade target, James L. Edwards of The Athletic writes in an overview of the team’s options ahead of Thursday’s deadline. Edwards has stated since December that the Pistons have interest in Harris, who spent time in Detroit early in his career and has connections with members of the front office and coaching staff.
Harris has been a reliable scorer throughout his career and is averaging 17.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists this season while shooting 51.2% from the field and 34.4% from three-point range. The 31-year-old can handle either forward spot and would give the Pistons a frontcourt weapon to team with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.
Edwards cautions that Detroit might not be overly aggressive in pursuing Harris this week because of his upcoming free agent status. The front office may be reluctant to part with a significant asset when it will have plenty of cap room to sign him this summer.
Edwards has more on the Pistons:
- Detroit seems to have paused trade talks regarding LaVine, but Edwards isn’t certain that the team was ever very committed to acquiring him. While he reports there were “many discussions” between the Bulls and Pistons in recent weeks, sources in the organization tell Edwards that Detroit would have only gotten serious about such a move if Chicago was willing to attach other assets like draft compensation or another player such as Patrick Williams. Edwards also speculates that the Pistons may have been willing to take on LaVine’s contract if the Bulls would have accepted expiring deals in return, but he’s not certain of that. Chicago was asking for Bojan Bogdanovic and another young player, according to Edwards, who doesn’t believe Detroit would have ever agreed to that price.
- League sources tell Edwards that numerous teams have inquired about Monte Morris. He cites the Timberwolves as one of the most interested parties, noting that they tried to deal for the veteran guard when he was still with Washington. Morris recently returned after being sidelined by injuries for the season’s first 43 games, and Edwards suggests that Detroit might prefer to hang onto him.
- Edwards hears that rival teams have “strong interest” in Bogdanovic and Alec Burks, but the Pistons are leaning toward keeping both players unless the current offers improve.
Harris will be a Piston next year. Maybe even Klay Thompson.
Why would the Pistons pay big money to players who are old and on the downside of their careers especially Thompson?
Because they have a history of making stupid decisions you can’t discount them doing it again
Because they suck as young as they are. They need veteran leadership. That is why the Rockets signed VanVleet, Green and Brooks.
None of these teams care about improving.
seriously why does the Pistons still have Burks, Morris, and Bogdanovic still on the team? 2 old guys that have no future. If you get draft picks and expiring contracts trade both of them as quickly as you can. It makes no sense in Pistons going after older players that are expensive. They will be bad for a long time if that is their plan.
Morris has been hurt all year. Burks and Bogdanovic don’t have nearly the interested teams that these NBA writers keep writing about. When you are referring to players like Bogdanovic and Burks, and write things like teams have “strong interest”, and then follow it with you need the offers to improve ….. Teams are only interested if you are giving them away.
That’s a bizarre statement that you keep repeating. 90% of Trade Deadline trades don’t happen until the final day, or hours. Finding a match between two teams is not that easy. Sellers always ask for more what buyers are willing to give up. Kuzma is said to be available. But the Wizards don’t want players; how many teams have picks to give up.
Troy Weaver needs to be fired immediately. This team is worse than it was when he got here and he refuses to trade what he can to add picks to a rebuilding team. Tom Gores needs to sell this team.
Tobias Harris has never been a “winning player” that will change the culture and habits of a bad and inexperienced Detroit basketball team. It sounds like they just need to sign someone just to show their “improvement”. Truthfully, I would go after a guy like Markannen and give up Stewart/Bojan/2026 draft pick. They need guys who are young and about to hit their prime, not Tobias Harris’ and Klay Thompson’s of the world.
Cade
Ivey
Ausar
Markannen
Wiseman
Then add a few veteran bench players who have been doing this for a while. Guys like Jonas/KCP/Oubre/Heyward. Any number of these guys would do the trick. Obviously you’d probably have to overpay for one of them, but they need a total revamp within the product on the floor. Nobody not even Cade should be deemed as untouchable.
Wiseman as your starting C says a lot. He’s not even in the rotation anymore and won’t be on the team next year. Did you mean Duren?
My bad, yes I meant Duren. Thank you for correcting me.
James Edwards writes a lot of things. Most don’t make sense. Tobias Harris to the Pistons doesn’t make any sense at all. He is on an expiring contract! Why would Detroit give up any assets whatsoever for a player they can sign as a free agent in the offseason.
The Pistons were eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago, and it’s only February.
Because Troy Weaver runs the team and they did the same exact thing to acquire Marvin Bagley, then signed him to an extension even though his skill set meshed poorly with Duren.
Umm…Markannen is a part of Utah’s core. Why would they trade him? Utah certainly doesn’t need anymore draft picks.
Danny Ainge would trade his mother if he got the deal he wanted.
Wiseman? I’d think you meant Duren who is a monster in the making. Wiseman will cost Detroit $16M next year if they keep him.
@fasteddie Every GM would trade any player for the right deal. But, nobody is going to offer Ainge the right deal. They definitely don’t need picks…Wiseman won’t cost Detroit $16 million.
Pistons don’t need bandaids they need full blow up.. keep your core 4 cade, ivy, asur, Duran, maybe sasor.. trade everyone else get you 1 proven scorer and some bench that can play defense.. need a lot of help..
Pistons should be looking at Murray …..
Bogdan and Isaiah Stewart to GSW for whatever available
Why?
You suck cause you are small AF so trade Wiggs Picks Moody CP3 or Klay to help Curry and Pistons look for older players
The Warriors problem is defense. How will these guys help them?