Pistons chase shooting and ball-handling in offseason trades

Pistons shooting – Trajan Langdon says Detroit is open to trades and free agency, but won’t sacrifice major assets. With the 2026 NBA Draft on June 18, he’s already focused on two clear fixes for the Pistons: more shooting and better ball-handling—names around the league include

DETROIT — The Pistons’ rebuild didn’t just happen in public. It happened in wins. Since Trajan Langdon took over as president of basketball operations, Detroit’s turn has been dramatic: the team won 14 games in 2024 and followed that with 60 wins this past season.

Now comes the part that always tests a front office. This summer, Langdon will have to reshape a roster for the 2026-27 campaign with expectations rising and postseason shortcomings still fresh. When he spoke about what Detroit must add, the message was blunt and specific—shooting and ball-handling.

Langdon also made another boundary clear. The Pistons are open to exploring trades and free agency. but they are not willing to part with substantial assets to acquire new talent. With that frame in place. the list of potential targets takes on a new shape: who can raise Detroit’s ceiling without forcing the franchise to mortgage too much.

Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

During his pre-draft availability on Thursday, Langdon hinted the Pistons might act as a third team to facilitate a trade. That single detail has widened the rumor mill, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s impending departure from the Milwaukee Bucks.

In that scenario, Detroit has been linked to Herro—particularly if the Heat can acquire Antetokounmpo.

Herro fits the Pistons’ stated priorities in multiple ways. He’s an All-Star scorer who has spent his career making the most of shooting gravity and creation off the perimeter. Since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2019. Herro has averaged 19.5 points across 394 games and has shot 38.2% from 3-point range for his career.

Over the past three seasons. he’s also developed into a solid secondary creator with his facilitation—something Detroit needs if it wants more ball-handling and playmaking built into its offense. Contract-wise. Herro has one year and $33 million left for next season. a figure that suggests acquiring him would not negatively affect the Pistons’ financial flexibility.

Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans

Trey Murphy III sits high on many Pistons fans’ wish lists for one reason: he’s built for the kind of floor-spacing Detroit is trying to develop.

Murphy is considered one of the NBA’s best 3-and-D players. This past season, he averaged a career-best 21.5 points while shooting 37.9% from behind the arc. He also delivered on catch-and-shoot opportunities, hitting 42.6% of those 3-pointers.

Because he doesn’t need the ball to be effective. Murphy can function as a reliable secondary scorer—an especially valuable trait for a roster still trying to balance its creation needs. At 6-foot-8, he can guard multiple positions, and Detroit would likely welcome the energy and hustle he plays with. Murphy averaged 1.5 steals per game this past season and registered 24 total blocks.

The main concern is cost. Murphy has three years remaining on his contract, and the Pelicans still view the 26-year-old forward as one of their core players. Moving him would likely require a lofty trade package.

Zach LaVine, Sacramento Kings

Zach LaVine’s name has floated around Detroit for years, and the reason is straightforward: scoring that can travel.

Since his 51-point performance at Little Caesars Arena in October 2023. the Pistons have been linked to LaVine in trade rumors for the past three years. He projects as a dependable secondary scoring option next to Cade Cunningham. and in certain matchups he could also take over as Detroit’s primary scorer.

LaVine is a two-time All-Star with the ability to score efficiently at multiple levels. Even in what was considered a down year with the 60-loss Kings, he averaged 19.2 points while shooting 47.9% from the field and 39% from deep.

There’s also the business side. Sacramento’s management is prepared to hit the reset button for what’s described as the umpteenth time in the last 20 years, and LaVine’s expiring $49 million salary for the upcoming season could make him a player they’re more willing to move than keep.

For Detroit. acquiring LaVine at that price would be for only one year. which would not impede financial flexibility in the future. And if the Kings are genuinely ready to move on from him. he could end up being one of the most affordable players Detroit can acquire in a trade—at least relative to the market.

Klay Thompson, Dallas Mavericks

Klay Thompson is the kind of addition that can look simple on paper and still change a season’s feel. His value, for Detroit, is floor spacing—especially in a league where games can hinge on whether defenses have to cover every inch.

The Dallas Mavericks are committed to building around Rookie of the Year winner Cooper Flagg. That could open the door for the Mavericks to move Thompson for a pair of second-round draft picks and perhaps a young prospect who hasn’t cracked Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s rotation.

Thompson is 36 years old, and his role has shifted over time since his Golden State Warriors days. But even at this stage, he continues to show why he’s regarded as one of the greatest shooters in league history.

This past season, Thompson played in 69 games, averaged 11.7 points, and knocked down 202 3-pointers at a 38.3% clip. He also had 25 games in which he made four or more 3s. His best performance came during the Mavericks’ 115-114 loss to the Orlando Magic in March. when he registered a season-high seven deep balls.

His addition would boost Detroit’s bench production and improve the team’s floor spacing—something Detroit is described as most wanting to add this offseason. His contract also comes with financial relief: he’s scheduled to earn $17.4 million for the upcoming season under an expiring deal. which would not pose financial challenges for the Pistons while still keeping their flexibility.

Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards (honorable mention)

Anthony Davis lands here as an honorable mention, but the history matters. Before being traded to the Wizards, Davis was heavily linked to the Pistons in trade rumors, and the general public was opposed to the idea because of his injury history.

The sentiment wasn’t limited to fans. Even the author of the analysis says they were against the idea, but argues it’s hard to ignore the idea of Davis as a postseason difference-maker.

Davis remains one of the most productive two-way players in the league. He protects the paint and also offers the kind of offensive versatility that allows a big to play both inside and outside.

Wizards president Michael Winger recently shut down rumors about Davis’ unwillingness to stay in Washington. Still, with uncertainty surrounding his tenure—and because Davis has two years left on his contract—it would not be surprising if he is on the move before the start of next season.

Langdon’s task this summer is simple to describe and hard to execute: add what Detroit needs—shooting and ball-handling—without paying with the kind of assets that can set a team back. With the 2026-27 roster taking shape and the NBA Draft scheduled for June 18. 2026 in Detroit. the next domino is already waiting. The question is how quickly—and how expensively—the Pistons choose to take it.

Detroit Pistons Trajan Langdon NBA Draft June 18 2026 Tyler Herro Trey Murphy III Zach LaVine Klay Thompson Anthony Davis Cade Cunningham