With the NBA Trade deadline fast approaching in just five days, Pistons Roundtable is profiling an extensive list of players who could help Detroit solidify what few weaknesses remain on the Pistons after a 35-12 start to the season. 

Though Keon Ellis seemed like a low-risk addition for the Pistons, the Sacramento Kings dealt the fourth-year guard to the Cleveland Cavaliers last night, potentially tipping the first domino on more trades to come down the pipeline. Now that Ellis is off the table, the Pistons could be well served to prod around the Central Division with a looming eye on the Chicago Bulls. 

Standing at 24-25 on the year, the Bulls are in the play-in game picture right now after their quick regular season start has worn off. The Pistons are running away with the division, and Chicago might be interested in clearing what cap space they can while acquiring assets to build for the future, which could free up fifth-year guard Ayo Dosunmu in the process. 

Since the Bulls might be sellers for this year’s trade market, Dosunmu is an attractive option given he’s a highly efficient shooter who’s in the final year of his three-year, $21 million dollar contract. Averaging 14.8 points per game on 50/40/85 shooting splits from the field, three-point range and the free throw line respectively, Dosunmu is a dependable shooter who could help Detroit space the floor given his perimeter threat. 

On top of the combo guard’s reliable shot, Dosunmu is capable of creating either on or off the ball in the half-court offense, which would mesh well with Detroit’s insistence on versatility and adaptability. Dosunmu is active in transition and can finish strong at the bucket, and that’s another focal point of the Pistons’ blueprint this season that the prospective trade target would align with. 

This season, Dosunmu has cemented himself as one of the NBA’s most improved three-point shooters, taking his average from a paltry 32% a season ago to over 44% from beyond the arc currently. But since Dosunmu is not a volume scorer, he wouldn’t quite fill Detroit’s need for a player who can put up 20+ on a nightly basis even though he fits the squad in other ways. 

Recently, Dosunmu put together his most complete performance of the season against the Miami Heat last night. In the road contest, Dosunmu went off for 29 points with nine assists, eight rebounds and two steals to round out his dominant effort. Dosunmu was uber-efficient from the field, posting a 68% mark overall and 83% from long-range in 37 minutes against the Heat just one game after putting up 23 points against that same Miami squad on Thursday. 

While Dosunmu is in a terrific current run of form, the sharp-shooting guard has drawn criticism for a perceived lack of playmaking ability. However, if Dosunmu joined Detroit and operated primarily with the second unit, the Pistons would not need him to act as a clear floor general on the court with so many other capable players to surround him with. 

Now, the Pistons would need to free up some roster space, particularly in their backcourt, in order for a Dosunmu trade to make proper sense. Detroit is planning to utilize second-year guard Daniss Jenkins for the rest of the season, which would raise the question on whether or not Caris LeVert and Jaden Ivey are long for Motown. 

Over the past two weeks, LeVert has missed several games due to illness, while Ivey saw his playing time dwindle to just seven minutes against the Phoenix Suns. Ivey is in the final year of his contract, and both players have been subject to trade rumors considering their perceived lackluster performance throughout the year. The Pistons could feasibly package LeVert and / or Ivey with a number of second round draft picks in order to pull off the swap, but Detroit currently holds all the cards given their first place position in the standings. 

In the meantime, the Pistons have a few days to carve out their strategy before the NBA Trade Deadline arrives on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 3 pm. 

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