Detroit Pistons upgrade wing rotation, maintain flexibility in busy trade deadline

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Detroit Pistons kicked off the NBA trade deadline Wednesday with a pair of trades.

That was only the prelude, it turns out. No front office was busier than the Pistons’ on Thursday. A quick recap of general manager Troy Weaver's deadline transactions:

• Traded a heavily protected, unlikely to convey 2028 second-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick (via the New York Knicks) and veteran wing Danuel House Jr.

• Traded Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks to the Knicks in exchange for Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, Malachi Flynn, Ryan Arcidiacono and two future second-round picks.

• Waived House, Arcidiacono, Joe Harris, Danilo Gallinari and Killian Hayes.

That was after the Pistons traded Monte Morris to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday for Shake Milton, Troy Brown Jr., Minnesota's second-round selection in 2030 and a 2024 second-round pick (via Washington) and also sent Kevin Knox and the draft rights to Gabriele Procida to the Utah Jazz for Italian sharpshooter Simone Fontecchio.

Of course, this is all just three weeks after the Pistons sent Marvin Bagley III, Isaiah Livers and two future second-round picks to the Washington Wizards for Gallinari and Mike Muscala.

Eight players outgoing, 10 players incoming, five players released. Got all of that?

REACTION: 'Not sure Detroit should be allowed to make trades'

It’s a long, and perhaps dizzying, series of moves. But cut through the fat and Detroit's deadline was really about just two players — Fontecchio and Grimes. The former is a 28-year-old, 6-foot-7 forward shooting 39.1% from 3-point range this season; he'll be a restricted free agent this offseason. The latter is a 23-year-old, 6-5 wing who has knocked down 37.9% of his 3s in his career. Both are strong perimeter defenders.

The Pistons still intend to make more significant roster upgrades over the summer. The pressure is on for the front office, trusted to navigate this deadline despite the 2-29 start to the season, to alter the trajectory of the rebuild upward.

But for now, they addressed two major holes on the roster while also setting the table for their most pivotal offseason yet.

Fontecchio and Grimes long-term upgrades to wing rotation

Detroit expected to take a leap forward this season, but several setbacks have resulted in the team being on pace for the NBA’s worst record for the second season in a row. Even after Wednesday’s surprise 13-point road win over the Sacramento Kings, the Pistons are on pace for just 11 wins — which would be the lowest total in franchise history by five games, and six fewer than last season's brutal total.

The team’s weakness at the wing positions has been a factor. Outside of rookie Ausar Thompson,the Pistons lacked players who could make a difference on defense. None of Detroit’s high-volume shooters could also defend, while Thompson is still struggling with his shot from beyond the arc. "Three-and-D" wings are essential in today's NBA, and the Pistons had none.

Now, they have two. Fontecchio and Grimes are strong shooters AND perimeter defenders. And they are also the only players, out of the 10 that Detroit acquired, that are likely to still be on their cap sheet after this season. Detroit plans to retain Fontecchio this offseason, and Grimes will become eligible for an extension ahead of his 2025 restricted free agency.

The other eight players are all either on expiring contracts or have team options for next season, which will allow the Pistons to preserve much of the $60 million in offseason cap space they opened in January’s deal with the Wizards.

Brown, a 24-year-old, 6-6 wing, also holds intrigue. He’s hitting 36.9% on 3s this season and is solid on defense. He has a nonguaranteed deal for $4 million next season; even if the Pistons don't bring him back next season, he could lift Detroit on both ends on the floor over the next two months.

Pistons part ways with veterans (finally!)

The Pistons long drove a hard bargain for Bogdanovic and Burks. Both veterans arrived before the 2022-23 season and had been among Detroit’s best scorers. Their age — 34 and 32, respectively — and contract situations — only $2 million of Bogdanovic’s $19 million is guaranteed next season, while Burks is on an expiring deal — made them popular deadline targets.

Earlier this week, it appeared the Pistons were comfortable with taking both players into the offseason. But in the end, they decided to trade them for a coveted asset in Grimes, the Knicks’ 2028 and 2029 second-round picks, and expiring matching salary.

It’s not a massive haul for the veteran pair, compared to the price Detroit initially set. But ultimately, the organization couldn’t justify not getting anything for Bogdanovic and Burks. Grimes, while not as experienced, is a better defender than either veteran and can still knock down shots. And his salary is the only one the Pistons had to take on for next season.

Hayes and Harris out in the shuffle

Hayes’ tenure in Detroit came to an abrupt end. The 2020 No. 7 overall pick was the first selection of Weaver’s tenure, and the teenaged French guard arrived with high expectations. Because of injuries and inefficiency, he never quite found his footing. He was a healthy scratch in three consecutive games before Wednesday’s short roster forced him back into the starting lineup. Still, it was clear his tenure was nearing its end.

The Pistons have invested deeply into their guard positions via the draft lottery, and Hayes’ camp wanted him to find a new opportunity before hitting restricted free agency this summer. Detroit agreed, and Hayes will now look to get his career back on track elsewhere.

Harris, who appeared in just 16 games while shooting 33.3% from 3, was also waived. The Pistons have little to show for their most notable 2023 offseason acquisitions — Harris and Morris — but they were at least able to get a second-round pick and players for the latter.

[ MUST WATCH: Trade deadline reaction show, below. Make "The Pistons Pulse" your go-to Detroit Pistons podcast, listen available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify). ]

Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him @omarisankofa.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons shuffle roster to finally bring in 3-and-D wings