It feels like the league is waiting for the Giannis Antetokounmpo shoe to drop before the rest of the transactions can get started, so why not try to put together an offseason plan? There’s no way my 5’10” frame can fill Trajan’s Langdon’s shoes at his height of 6’4”, but I’ll do my best.
Pre-Draft
With the recent news that Detroit may be a third-team to help facilitate the Giannis deal between Milwaukee and Miami, I’m going to get in on the action. With Miami not wanting to extend Herro and Milwaukee looking to send him elsewhere, I’m happy to bring him to Detroit – for the right price.
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This trade needs to be done before the draft since Miami’s pick at 13 will most likely be sent to Milwaukee, but I’m not giving up assets for a player that neither team wants. If I’m doing you the favor of taking on that player, you can have expiring contracts. Detroit does have two Milwaukee seconds – one in 2027 and one in 2029 – that the Bucks could ask in return that I would be willing to throw in if needed.
TRADE (without all the other details of a Giannis trade):
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Pistons send out:
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2027 Milwaukee second and/or 2029 Milwaukee second
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Pistons receive:
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Tyler Herro ($31 million)
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Tyler Herro instantly becomes the best scorer Cade Cunningham has ever played next to throughout his career. Herro would instantly become the #2 option on offense and JB Bickerstaff could stagger Cade and Herro so one of them is on the court at all times. I believe both Cade and Jalen Duren would help Herro be the best offensive version of himself, similar to his All-Star season two years ago when he averaged 24 points, five rebounds, and five assists while shooting 38% from deep on almost nine attempts per game. His defense and availability are certainly legitimate question marks, but his offense is not. While he’ll be an unrestricted free agent with one year left on his deal, Detroit holds his Bird Rights if they want to re-sign him next summer while being over the cap.
Draft
Shoutout to DBB’s very own Wes Davenport for selling me on this guy.
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I’m staying put at #21 and I’m selecting Joshua Jefferson from Iowa State.
Jefferson is listed at 6’9” and 240 pounds and he’ll turn 23 years old this November. He is a four-year college player with his first two years at Saint Mary’s before playing his final two years at Iowa State. During his senior season with the Cyclones, Jefferson averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. My player comparison for him is a bigger Draymond Green.
I’m a huge fan of high-IQ basketball players and Jefferson’s IQ is sky high on both ends of the floor. I’m a huge fan of guys that want to make the right play. I want guys that want to give up a good shot of their own to find a great shot for a teammate, and Jefferson certainly does that. His best skillset may be his IQ, but his passing isn’t far behind. Trajan Langdon said he wants to find additional playmaking, so why not find it from a point-forward at pick 21?
He’s incredibly strong, can switch defensively, and even shows the potential to be a tertiary ball handler. Jefferson’s biggest question mark is his shooting as his final year of 34.5% from deep on 3.1 attempts per game were both career-highs throughout his college journey, but his form looks good. There’s enough there that I feel confident Fred Vinson can turn him into a catch-and-shoot threat quickly. I believe he’s ready for NBA minutes today.
NBA Free Agency
While it’s possible Detroit can use their NTMLE of $15 million on free agents like Coby White, CJ McCollum, Ayo Dosunmu, or Anfernee Simons, I’m convinced that those kind of guys can get more money on the open market. The good news is you could still absorb a player into the NTLME via trade so that’s how I plan to use it.
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TRADE:
Isaiah Joe instantly becomes the Duncan Robinson replacement off the bench. He’s under contract for two more years at $11.3 million each year. Joe is on the outside of the OKC rotation, but he has played in 71 or more games the past four seasons while shooting more than 41% from deep throughout that same time frame. This sure seems like a Trajan Langdon type of guy based on his shooting and availability.
OKC does this deal because they already have 15 players on their roster, they have two first round draft picks, and the rookie-max extensions for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are set to begin. This deal saves them $11 million and opens up a roster spot while getting two seconds in return. Detroit would have roughly $3.7 million left of the MLE.
Next…
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TRADE:
I will admit that I’m a pusher of Naz Reid propaganda, but man, I would love him in Detroit. I think this is a great pivot if Trey Murphy III is too expensive to get.
Naz is listed at 6’9” and 260 pounds and can play both PF and C. We could finally see Ausar Thompson playing next to a stretch big again since Mike Muscala left the team a few years ago. Reid is still only 26 years old and has played in 77 or more games in each of the past three seasons. He received 6MOY votes in each of those seasons and I think it’s time he gets promoted to the starting lineup. Naz is shooting 37.1% from deep in his career and attempted a career-high 5.8 threes in back-to-back seasons. Just like Isaiah Joe, this feels like a Trajan guy – someone who’s always available and always consistent from deep. Call me crazy, but I’d define Naz as a ball-handler, too.
Minnesota does this deal because they are EXPENSIVE. This deal saves them $3.1 million in salary, yet Naz is only their 5th most costly player behind Edwards, Gobert, Randle, and McDaniels. Both Sasser and Stewart can be expiring deals to get off of Naz’s long term money of 4-yr/$104m left, while Sass can offer them some needed guard play and a duo of Gobert/Stew gives them the best defensive big combo in the NBA. As great as Trey Murphy III’s contract is, Naz’s deal is pretty good, too.
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I believe Minnesota would rather move Julius Randle, but I’m not sure any team wants to take on his remaining 2-yr/$69m without assets attached. They could keep Stew the following year on his team option and Stew could play C next to Randle or PF next to Gobert in spurts. The 2027 Detroit first-rounder could eventually help them land a starting PG to play next to Edwards.
Detroit’s Free Agents
I’m bringing back Javonte Green, Tobias Harris, and Jalen Duren. Green can get another minimum deal. With Jefferson planning on being my Tobias replacement at some point, I’d sign Tobias to a two-year deal worth $20 million including a team-option in the second year.
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I’m signing Jalen Duren to a five-year $200 million contract. If Duren gets the same percentage of the cap as Alperen Şengün, who got a 5-yr/$185 million deal starting last season, it would equal 5-yr/$197 million, so a $200 million deal feels fair for both sides.
I’m also extending Ausar Thompson to a five-year $150 million deal. I’ve heard a potential deal for AT being similar to what Jalen Suggs or Dyson Daniels got. Daniels starts a 4-yr/$100m contract this year and Suggs is on his second year of a 5-yr/$150 million deal. I’d be happy pushing Ausar up to $160 million total if needed.
I would not be surprised if Daniss Jenkins’ and Paul Reed’s deals are restructured to get them under contract for multiple years as well.
2026-2027 Roster
PG: Cade Cunningham | Tyler Herro |Daniss Jenkins
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SG: Tyler Herro | Isaiah Joe | Javonte Green
SF: Ausar Thompson | Ron Holland | Tobias Harris
PF: Naz Reid | Tobias Harris | Joshua Jefferson
C: Jalen Duren | Naz Reid | Paul Reed
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Don’t stress, Trajan – I did the work for you!
What’re your thoughts at my attempt at an offseason, DBB? What changes would you make?
Go Stones.
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