The New Orleans Pelicans have too many primary offensive options in their lineup and no good center, so a transaction that sees them acquire several assets for Brandon Ingram’s expiring contract could intrigue the organization. Similar to this, after observing a lackluster trade market for the former All-Star over the past year, the Chicago Bulls were open to offers that would take Zach LaVine away from the team.

After paying a fairly fair price for both players, the Pistons could make the most of them and turn around their franchise.

Trade Specifics

Receivers for the Detroit Pistons: Zach LaVine, Brandon Ingram

Chicago Bulls: 2026 Second-Round Pick (DET), Tim Hardaway Jr., and Tobias Harris

Jaden Ivey, Isaiah Stewart, and the 2029 First-Round Pick (DET) are received by the New Orleans Pelicans.

With the exception of teenage guard Jaden Ivey, the Pistons, who were among the poorest teams in the NBA, gained two players of All-Star caliber. Since Ingram is the most important player, the Pelicans’ acquisition of Ivey, big man Isaiah Stewart, and a first-round pick were all justified. Many wonder if the Bulls will forfeit draft picks in order to cut LaVine, thus the team would be content to add two veterans to strengthen their rotation.

The Pistons Make A Victorious Entry

Cade Cunningham was acquired by the Pistons after they won the 2021 Draft Lottery, but their on-court performances have not improved. This is not meant as a knock against Cunningham; rather, it is a reflection of the organization’s poor management and coaches, who have failed to create any lasting value outside of Cunningham, who has had a history of injuries throughout his career.

With Cunningham in the final year of his rookie deal before his five-year, $224.2 million extension kicks in, they need to demonstrate that they are a competitive team.

With the Pelicans past season, Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. Despite having a low scoring season, he developed into a capable defender and passer. He has a $36.01 million deal that is about to expire, and the Pelicans are allegedly considering his alternatives on the trade market rather than offering him the maximum extension he requests.

If Ingram can be the difference-maker that gets Detroit back into the postseason after a seven-year absence, he will have a chance to earn that contract there.

Prior to Zach’s season-ending injury before the trade deadline, LaVine averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists during an injury-plagued 23–24 season in which the Pistons were reportedly interested in making a move happen. Now that they have him back, they can put him with Cunningham in the backcourt to produce a lethal duo.

This squad could become a.500 team or better with the addition of LaVine and Ingram, if not move toward a top-six record in the East. With two excellent offensive weapons at his disposal, new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff helped the Pistons get back on track by turning the Cleveland Cavaliers into a contender.

A key date for the Detroit Pistons is Halloween.

Trajan Langdon’s primary responsibility for the upcoming season won’t necessarily be winning as many games as possible.

It’s to create a plan, something the previous government lacked because it constantly appeared as like they were winging it.

Assessing the young players and determining which ones to keep and which ones to trade for is the first stage. Although that process has already begun, Trajan Langdon won’t have much time left before he must make some difficult choices.

October 31st, or the end of this month, is the deadline for team options on Marcus Sasser, Ausar Thompson, Wendell Moore Jr., Jalen Duren, and Jaden Ivey. Here is a forecast on each player’s future.

Payroll of the Detroit Pistons: Team options

Ausar Thompson

Thompson is currently being held out for medical reasons, but the Pistons are almost certain to pay $8.77 million to exercise his third-year option. Picking that option makes sense even if they didn’t anticipate he would play this season because he has already demonstrated enough to raise hopes of an All-Star selection. Even if he isn’t ready for the start of the regular season, this alternative is being explored. Hopefully, he returns to full-contact exercises soon.

Marcus Sasser

Sasser is less certain because of his ambiguous position on the roster and potential difficulty breaking into the rotation straight away. Despite being older than 24 now, he did demonstrate last season that he could shoot and could be a scoring option off the bench. Although his incapacity to play point guard won’t improve his situation, the Pistons can simply absorb and/or trade away his $2.8 million 2025–2026 salary, thus I predict they will exercise his team option.

Wendell Moore Jr.

The Pistons will not take up Wendell Moore Jr.’s $4.5 million option unless a miracle occurs during training camp. Although Moore possesses some skill, Langdon will probably prefer to assign those slots to players he drafted or acquired in free agency rather than a player he was forced to part with in a trade. There are players on minimum deals who can fill in at the back end of the bench.

Jalen Duren

Since Duren is already above that amount, the Pistons will pick up his option for $6.4 million. However, the real drama will occur when he becomes available for an extension in the upcoming offseason. I think he’ll get one no matter how this season plays out, but it won’t get anywhere close to a max deal unless he puts in a lot of work. Between where Nic Claxton is and the term that Isaiah Stewart got, I anticipate Duren receiving something similar. I wouldn’t be surprised if Duren received a deal worth $100 million or more, barring a very fortunate leap year.

Ivey, Jaden

Similar to Duren, Ivey will have his team option exercised by the Pistons for 2025–2026; but, unlike Duren, I do not think an extension is forthcoming. Ivey hasn’t shown that he can be a long-term player with Cade Cunningham, so the Pistons could be better off waiting and seeing. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Pistons decide not to extend their contract to Ivey, allowing him to finish out his final season as a restricted free agent.

Although they could still keep him if they so desired, signing players too soon could be disastrous given the new CBA’s limits. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ivey ends up playing without an extension come next season, barring a breakout campaign.