The Detroit Pistons head into the 2025 offseason with something they haven’t had in years: momentum. Fresh off a 44–38 regular season and a competitive six-game series against the New York Knicks , the Pistons finally look like a team on the rise. For once, the conversation isn’t centered around drastic overhauls or lottery odds. Instead, fans ask: What if a few plays had gone differently? What if they’d made it to the second round?
Despite this newfound stability, debate is already brewing about what comes next . Should the Pistons capitalize on their resurgence and boldly move for a star to pair with Cade Cunningham ? Or should the team stay patient, letting its young core grow together organically? This year’s playoff finalists show both paths: homegrown development or bold trades for superstar talent.
Last offseason, general manager Trajan Langdon hit on nearly every move , transforming the team’s identity and competitiveness in just one year. With expectations rising and a balanced roster in place, he faces a more difficult challenge: choosing between risk and restraint. The Pistons are finally relevant again. The question is—should they take the next big swing, or let the moment grow?
Pistons Bold Moves vs Growth: What Should Detroit Do?
Possible Pistons Bold Moves and Their Fits
As the Pistons approach one of their most pivotal offseasons in years, multiple stars, including Zion Williamson and Devin Booker , have been linked to them. Adding a marquee name would undoubtedly raise the team’s national profile and potentially accelerate their rise to contention. But would it work? Each of these names brings excitement—and fundamental questions about fit.
Take Booker, for example. He’s an elite shot-creator and proven scorer, but his game flourishes when he’s the offense’s centerpiece. Integrating him into a team where Cunningham is emerging as a primary playmaker could create friction. Would Booker elevate the offense—or would he stunt Cunningham’s continued development by taking too much of the load?
Then there’s Williamson. When healthy, he’s a force, averaging 24.7 points per game with unmatched efficiency around the rim. But that “when healthy” qualifier looms large. He’s played 214 games out of 472 regular-season games in his career. Beyond durability, there’s the issue of spacing. Pairing Zion with Jalen Duren and a forward like Ausar Thompson or Ron Holland could create a clogged frontcourt—precisely the environment where Cunningham has struggled. This past season proved one thing: Cunningham thrives when the floor is spaced and the lane opens.
Swing for the Fences: Could the Pistons Make a Play for Giannis?
If Booker and Williamson raise questions, there’s one name that would silence all doubts, at least in terms of talent: Giannis Antetokounmpo . With questions swirling in Milwaukee—an aging roster, another early playoff exit, and injuries to key players like Damian Lillard —there’s growing chatter about whether the Bucks might consider a reset. If that happens, moving Giannis while his value is still sky-high could become a legitimate path forward for them. The Pistons must pick up the phone if he’s even remotely available.
The Pistons are uniquely positioned: a rising team with a stockpile of draft capital, a stable of intriguing young players, and an aggressive front office. A deal for Giannis would likely require a steep price—think Tobias Harris (for salary matching), multiple young assets (perhaps Jaden Ivey , Duren, or Thompson), and a war chest of future picks.
It’s a massive gamble. But it’s also the kind of move that turns a nice story into a legitimate contender. The Pistons have shown they can win, now they must decide how bold they will be to contend in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
The Last Word
The Detroit Pistons are at a crossroads—one they haven’t reached in nearly a decade. For once, the foundation looks stable. Cade Cunningham is blossoming into a franchise centerpiece, the young core is showing real promise, and the front office has benefited from the doubt. The question isn’t about survival or hope—it’s about ambition.
Do the Pistons make a bold move and chase a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo, risking their chemistry and future flexibility for a shot at immediate contention? Or do they trust the process, double down on internal growth, and take a slower, steadier path to the top?
Both roads carry risk. But for the first time in years, the Pistons have the leverage, the pieces, and the credibility to make a real choice. Whatever path they take, one thing is clear: the rebuild is over. The next chapter begins now.
Photo credit: © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
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