The Detroit Pistons clearly need more offense after this postseason’s struggles, and DeMar DeRozan may be the perfect option. Detroit had no players capable of creating their own offense in playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic. A great regular season winning 60+ games to get the top seed ended up being for nothing after the team failed to play the same level of basketball in the big games.
Fadeaway World pitched a realistic trade that gets DeRozan from the Sacramento Kings to the Pistons:
“Detroit Pistons Receive: DeMar DeRozan
Sacramento Kings Receive: Isaiah Stewart, Caris LeVert, 2027 Second-Round Pick (DET), 2028 Second-Round Pick (LAC)
DeRozan would instantly become the second option for the Pistons offensively, with this trade structure maintaining all the pieces that made Detroit’s defense as special as it did outside Isaiah Stewart ($15,000,000. He’d be best used as a sixth man who can keep the team’s scoring pace without Cunningham on the floor.”
DeRozan’s contract and limitations as a one-way veteran player makes it hard for Sacramento to find any trade destinations for him. Detroit stands out as a rare situation where he’s worth the money and they’d only give up two role players for him.
Why This Trade Helps Detroit A Lot
Detroit would only have to part ways with Caris LeVert and Isaiah Stewart to acquire an elite scorer. Two second round draft picks would allow them to keep all future first round picks for a potential bigger trade down the line.
DeRozan would give them an easy 15-to-20-point scorer off the bench, even if the Pistons play him fewer minutes to preserve his health. A young roster could make DeRozan a bit expendable during the regular season since Detroit proved they can do well in the long regular season setting.
However, the playoffs will see DeRozan giving them a second elite scoring option since he’s been one of the best at getting easy points on the board. Sacramento would do it to prioritize giving more playing time to younger players and move from a failed roster of veterans that became a bottom-five team in the league.
Would DeMar DeRozan Accept Bench Role?
The biggest question for this trade revolves around DeRozan’s desires for his next team. DeRozan has signed with losing teams multiple times to get more playing time instead of looking for a contender since that comes from a lessened role.
Detroit can’t start DeRozan with both Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson in the backcourt. It becomes counterproductive to start him and put a better defender or three-point shooters on the bench. DeRozan is better off playing when Cunningham rests until the closing minutes.
The mindset of DeRozan would determine if the Pistons should make this trade. A content DeRozan buying into his role adds a huge positive dynamic to improve the roster for next season. However, if he wants to start and play for 35 minutes, it would be a ticking time bomb that could destroy Detroit’s momentum. Regardless, they must look for another strong scorer off the bench to contend.
Detroit Pistons Pitched To Trade For Elite Scoring All-Star