The Detroit Pistons didn’t sit back this offseason, adding players like Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. to bring experience and shooting to their roster. These moves are already paying off, with the Pistons starting the season 6-8, putting them right in the Eastern Conference’s play-in spot.
Yet, there’s a bigger leap they could make. If Detroit truly wants to speed things up, they might have to consider taking a major swing by trading for a superstar who could be a co-star with Cunningham. Look no further, the Los Angeles Clippers have that player in Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard’s injury history has been well-documented, and it’s a legitimate concern for any team looking to acquire him. Yet, as Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey points out, even a ‘moderately healthy’ Leonard could transform the Pistons into a guaranteed playoff team in the Eastern Conference.
“Kawhi Leonard for Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland and a 2030 first-round pick swap
Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr. have helped a bit, but it’s clear that Detroit is still far from a lock for the playoffs. An even moderately healthy Kawhi Leonard would bring them closer to that status.
Of course, there’s no guarantee he gets back to moderately healthy (at least relative to other NBA players). And his contract (which pays him $50.3 million in 2026-27) is potentially onerous. But plugging his superstar upside into lineups with Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren would make Detroit a tough out for most Eastern Conference opponents.
And in the framework above, the Pistons aren’t really sacrificing their future (any team would probably be foolish to for Leonard). Cunningham, Ivey, Duren and Ausar Thompson would all be left behind to play with Leonard.”
