2024 NBA Draft Detroit Pistons Trade-Down Guide

The unthinkable (but entirely predictable) occurred in the NBA Draft Lottery, with the Detroit Pistons once again falling to the No. 5 pick. It's entirely possible that the Pistons could pick lower than that. Yes! We're talking about a trade-down scenario.

In a draft without a clear flagship player, teams are confident they can get equal value by sticking with the status quo, so trades are few and far between, or they are more willing to make targeted trades to acquire “their guy.” As the draft approaches, rumors are swirling that some teams are looking to move up in the draft position if their own players start to fall.

For each trade scenario, I'll briefly explain why each team would make the trade, how it would affect the Pistons' cap room, and some of the players they could target with their new draft slots.

Wenbanyama Running Mate

San Antonio Spurs | #8

While there are currently no rumours that Spurs are looking to move up the ranks, they certainly have the assets to do so, and there will be no shortage of options if they choose to surround the French phenom with top-five picks.

Pistons cap room remaining: $48,549,983 [-$15,851,296]

Why the Pistons said yes

This deal gives the Pistons an athletic, motor-driven forward with a penchant for catch-and-shoot 3-pointers. Johnson is on a very affordable contract that will only get cheaper over the next few years. His salary drops to $17.5 million in the final two years of his contract. The Pistons still have the cap space to sign any max contract player with minimal effort if that is an option.

Why Spurs said yes

The Spurs could add another top-five pick and free up another $17 million in cap space to build around Wembanyama while shedding his long-term salary.

Pistons target is No. 8

• Dalton Knecht – A string of shots and points from the Tennessee star who is ready to make an impact
• Ron Holland – Ignite's wing needs to improve his shooting, but the potential is there.
• Cody Williams – Another somewhat enigmatic upward swing from the Colorado wing
• Tijan Saloon – The big French player with great physical ability and shooting power shows great promise for the future

Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

Clingan Connection

The next group of teams are all rumored to be enamored with Donovan Clingan and would be willing to make a deal if he is within their availability.

Memphis Grizzlies | #9

Cap room remaining: $64,096,932 [-$304,347]

Why the Pistons said yes

The Pistons acquired a PF/C with floor-spanning, passing and rim-protecting abilities this summer without denting their cap space, and they could also move up in the second round, giving them a better chance of landing a player who can ultimately contribute to their team.

Why the Grizzlies said yes

The Grizzlies could get Clingan as their starting center, who is on his rookie contract for the next four years and will keep costs down, while Aldama is in the final year of his contract and needs an extension. The Grizzlies could avoid that decision and still get value as one of their rotation big men.

Pistons' target is 9th

• Dalton Knecht – A string of shots and points from the Tennessee star who is ready to make an impact
• Ron Holland – Ignite's wing needs to improve his shooting, but the potential is there.
• Cody Williams – Another somewhat enigmatic upward swing from the Colorado wing
• Tijan Saloon – The big French player with great physical ability and shooting power shows great promise for the future

Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images

Acquiring Kessler to strengthen defense

Utah Jazz | #10

Cap room remaining: $65,380,263 [+$978,984]

Why the Pistons said yes

One of the Pistons' biggest weaknesses last year was rim protection. The Pistons address this need by adding a 7'1″ shot-blocking machine that can finish at the rim on offense. The Pistons can keep Kessler under team control for at least one more year by using his team option for the 25-26 season (deadline is 10/31/24) before making a decision on an extension. Rounding out this deal is the 32nd pick in this year's draft. This could be a very valuable trade piece, especially given the new two-day draft format and the extended draft deadline for second-round picks. It also represents a great opportunity for the Pistons to add cheaper talent if they have cap room to target a big-name star.

Why Jazz Says Yes

Kessler has seemed unpopular with the Jazz coaching staff and organization, his minutes have been cut and there are rumors he may be sent to summer league this summer (a rare move for a third-year player), so adding Clingan at No. 5 eases some of the concerns about letting Kessler go given his early years.

Pistons target is No. 10

• Cody Williams – Another somewhat enigmatic upward swing from the Colorado wing
• Tijan Saloon – The big French player with great physical ability and shooting power shows great promise for the future
• Rob Dillingham – A small, versatile guard from Kentucky with an energetic offensive style.
• Jacob Walter – A promising guard from Baylor University. He's good at three-point shooting and defense, but has issues with inefficiency.

Photo: Mark Brinch/Getty Images

Zach LaVine and additional draft assets

Chicago Bulls | #11

Cap room remaining: $19,270,503 [-$45,130,776]

Why the Pistons said yes

When healthy, Zach LaVine is a great offensive weapon that complements Cade's play well. His ability to create his own shot and make catch-and-shoot three-pointers should give Cade more opportunities to play on offense. With $19.27 million in cap space and other tradeable assets to work with, the Pistons could add another helpful piece after this deal is completed.

LaVine's contract is hot, and the money is substantial. But as long as he can remain an average NBA starter over the next two seasons, having his salary on the books should give the front office more ammunition to build around Cade when his (potential) max contract extension goes into effect next summer. Not to mention, the Pistons have $127 million to spend in salary before the league year begins. There are worse ways to spend that money.

Why the Bulls Say Yes

The Bulls are rumored to be targeting Donovan Clingan and Matas Buzelis, and if either is still available at No. 5, this trade would allow the Bulls to acquire him and take a big salary off the books over the next few years while giving up minimal assets to do so.

Pistons target is 11th

• Cody Williams – Another somewhat enigmatic upward swing from the Colorado wing
• Tijan Saloon – A big French player with great physical ability and shooting power, he has a promising future
• Rob Dillingham – A small, versatile guard from Kentucky with an energetic offensive style.
• Jacob Walter – A promising guard from Baylor University. He's good at three-point shooting and defense, but has issues with inefficiency.

The Thunder have an extra pick and are looking to

Photo: Mitchell Leighton/Getty Images

Oklahoma City Thunder | #12

Remaining cap room: $67,720,239 [+$3,318,960]

Why the Pistons said yes

Acquiring the better 2025 first-round pick and 2025 second-round pick from either the Thunder, Clippers or Rockets (protected picks 1-10) would give the Pistons three picks in a potentially very strong draft and at the very least, more assets available for trades. The move would also give them another $3.3 million in cap space to use for other trades or free agency this summer.

Why the Thunder said yes

Donovan Clingan and Chet Holmgren have the potential to be a threat together on the defensive end, and giving up one of the five 2025 first-round picks to make that happen should be an easy decision.

Pistons target is 12th

• Cody Williams – Another somewhat enigmatic upward swing from the Colorado wing
• Tijan Saloon – The big French player with great physical ability and shooting power shows great promise for the future
• Rob Dillingham – A small, versatile guard from Kentucky with an energetic offensive style.
• Jacob Walter – A promising guard from Baylor University. He's good at three-point shooting and defense, but has issues with inefficiency.

Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

Detroit welcomes Jerami Grant back

Portland Trail Blazers | #14

Cap room remaining: $39,663,303 [-$24,737,976]

Why the Pistons said yes

Jeremi Grant is a good defender and has shot the ball even better since his first tenure in Detroit. His versatility on both the defensive and defensive end makes him a good fit with Stewart, Duren and Orser in the frontcourt and with Cade on offense. Given the rising salary cap, his contract shouldn't be an obstacle for Detroit this summer or in the long term. The Pistons will also receive a valuable second-round pick in this year's draft.

Why the Trail Blazers said yes

For a team as bad as the Trail Blazers, getting just under the tax line is out of the question, so acquiring a top draft pick while shedding some salary is a good move, and drafting Clingan gives the Trail Blazers more freedom to trade assets for Ayton while they look for ways to build around their young guards.

Pistons target is 14th

• Jared McCain – A guard out of Duke who is one of the best shooters/scorers in the draft.
• Daron Holmes II – An athletic big man from Dayton who can block shots and shoot from long distance.

Photo: Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Pistons acquire Brandon Ingram and De'Andre Hunter

A three-team trade between the Pistons (No. 5), Pelicans (No. 21), and Hawks.

This last deal is a mix of rumor, fantasy and common sense.

Cap room remaining: $18,867,180 [-$45,534,099]

Why the Pistons said yes

The Pistons have lacked a difference-maker at the forward position for as long as I can remember, and Brandon Ingram has proven he can be just that player. He has had some flaws recently and is potentially available as he will have to sign a big contract next summer. But Brandon Ingram really is Really He's good at basketball, and when you have the opportunity to acquire that kind of talent, it's usually worth the risk.

De'Andre Hunter hasn't played up to the quality that the draft pick deserves, but he's a good shooter and defender on a decent contract. Adding Hunter and Ingram would bolster the forward corps for the next few years, and Detroit would get the 21st pick to add some young talent after the two they traded away in this trade. After all, the Pistons would still have enough cap space to fill the starting center position.

Why the Pelicans said yes

The Pelicans will be shedding payroll this year and trading Ingram for two players at positions of need. Murray is on a nice contract for the next four years to keep costs down and Duren is still on his rookie deal. There have also been rumors that the Pelicans are interested in trading their 21st pick for a future second-round pick if they can't use it to acquire a proven talent. This trade accomplishes both.

Why the Hawks said yes

Atlanta gets two top-five picks to start a slow rebuild and adds a future No. 1 pick to their treasure chest. They desperately need to clean up their books to make room for future extensions, and this move does that well. Ivey will help fill in some of Murray's playing time and gives Atlanta another young prospect they could gamble on down the line or eventually include in a consolidation trade.

Pistons' target is 21st

• Johnny Furphy – A guard from Kansas who can match up with any team with his shooting ability and hustle.
• Pacome Daddyette – The French winger represents the ball of clay that the team will shape.
• Kyle Filippovski – A center from Duke University who has stretch-five potential

Now it's your turn! What's your favorite trade? Would you make a different move on draft day? As always, we look forward to some heated discussion in the comments section!