The Detroit Pistons have been the biggest surprise in the NBA. While they were expected to take a leap after playing the Knicks tough in the playoffs last season, no one thought they would be the best team in the East.
Detroit sits atop the Eastern Conference standings, and they look like the real deal. A big leap from Jalen Duren has helped them. Staying healthy has been key for them, as well. Several other teams in the East are decimated by injuries, including the Pacers, Celtics, and 76ers.
If the Pistons want, they have some trade chips they can cash in to take advantage of the start they’ve had this year. A crazy trade proposal from Bleacher Report has them cashing them in to bring James Harden to Detroit.
GettyJames Harden gestures in a game. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Pistons Bring in James Harden in Crazy Trade Proposal
Here is the full trade proposal:
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Tobias Harris, Jaden Ivey, Marcus Sasser , 2026 first-round pick (top-10 protection; turns into two seconds if not conveyed)
Detroit Pistons Receive: James Harden, Brook Lopez
Not only would the Pistons receive Harden in return, but Lopez would be brought in, too. Lopez would give them some insurance at the center position, although Isaiah Stewart can float to center if needed. Harden is the big prize in this trade.
The issue with this trade is that it adds a ball-dominant guard to a roster that already has Cade Cunningham . Cunningham is having his best season and will likely be in the All-Star game this season. Taking the ball out of his hands would be an issue for how the offense has been running.
Harden can play off the ball, but he’s much more effective with the ball in his hands. He would also hurt the defense that the Pistons have assembled. They have the second-best defense in the NBA as currently constructed.
GettyCade Cunningham shoots the ball. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Detroit Has a Big Decision to Make at the Trade Deadline
The Pistons have a big choice to make when the trade deadline approaches in February. They can either continue to go with the roster they have and hope that it holds up in the playoffs. Or, they can make a big, win-now move and cash in those trade chips.
Trading for Harden is probably not the right player to cash those chips in for. They would be better suited for a player like Lauri Markkanen . They need a wing who can hit threes and rebound well. Harden is also much older than everyone else on the roster.
The decision will come down to GM Trajan Langdon and how he feels about the roster. He certainly has enough ammo to go out into the trade market and get a true difference-maker. They have a much better shot at winning a title by getting someone who fits into their current needs than someone like Harden.
Detroit will be a team that everyone is watching when trades start to be made.
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