The Detroit Pistons had a promising 2024-25 NBA season, as their young core has taken a significant leap in their production. The Pistons’ star point guard, Cade Cunningham, was named an All-Star for the first time in his career and led the squad to a 44-38 record. This led them to secure the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and make it to the 2025 NBA playoffs.
The Pistons made a brief postseason appearance before losing to the New York Knicks in six games. But the current group still showed plenty of promise that the organization could capitalize on. Heading into the offseason, there have been talks about what the team should do with its group.
While Detroit’s young core made it difficult for Jalen Brunson and the Knicks, they still need experienced players around them. One of the players linked to the Pistons is Indiana Pacers starting center Myles Turner.
Turner has been in trade talks his entire career. However, deals have never pushed through. The starting big man is set to be an unrestricted free agent, with his two-year, $40 million contract expiring after this season. According to reports, the Pacers are set to sign the two-way star to a new long-term deal. The rumored contract would give Indiana’s longest-tenured player at least $30 million annually.
However, it could lead the organization to enter the luxury tax. This is why the Pistons could snatch Turner away if the Pacers aren’t willing to sacrifice their salary cap to keep him.
According to Jake Fischer, the Pistons could target Turner in free agency.
REPORT: The Pistons could target Myles Turner in free agency, per @JakeLFischer. pic.twitter.com/lyTCtclc7R
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 8, 2025
Detroit has $17 million in cap space, based on an article by the Detroit Free Press. This could be used to pursue veteran players and possibly upgrade their frontcourt.
An NBA writer links the Detroit Pistons and an All-Star forward
While the Detroit Pistons are content with their All-Star, having another star could improve their offense. Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz suggested that the Pistons should make a move to acquire All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz. One of the writer’s suggestions involves a trade where Detroit would send Tobias Harris, Marcus Sasser, Simone Fontecchio, and a pair of first-round picks to Utah.
With this trade idea, the Pistons’ core isn’t disrupted and can remain competitive. The Eastern Conference team will have the Finnish basketball star for a long time, as he has a four-year, $195.8 million contract extension that will start in October.
Markkanen is a one-time All-Star in 2023 and is a talented scorer who can be an important contributor for a contending team. With him, the Detroit Pistons will form a dynamic duo with the European star and Cunningham.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
