RealGM Basketball Wiretap

22 February 2025

• Trajan Langdon Pivoted To Adding Help At Deadline Due To Pistons Play

  When Trajan Langdon took over the Detroit Pistons front office ahead of last offseason, he didn't think his team would be in a position to be a buyer at the trade deadline.

  "It didn't even enter my thought process, to be honest with you, back last summer," Langdon said. "It wasn't something I even thought about at all."

  While the Pistons did add some draft capital at the deadline, they also picked up Dennis Schroder and Lindy Waters III as helpful players to aid in their playoff push. Though being in a playoff race was unexpected, Langdon wanted to give his team the extra resources to push forward.

  "These guys have put themselves in position where they believe they can be a playoff team, which is exciting. We know that's important to them," Langdon said. "To add to that was important to us, as well. We were aware of that and kept that in mind leading to the deadline."

• Pistons Waive Wendell Moore Jr.

  The Detroit Pistons are waiving Wendell Moore Jr., sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  The 26th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Moore averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 20 games this season.

• Pistons Acquire Dennis Schroder

  The Detroit Pistons have agreed to acquire Dennis Schroder as part of the broader Jimmy Butler trade. The Golden State Warriors agreed to send out Schroder as part of the deal and he was initially set to join the Utah Jazz. The Jazz will receive K.J. Martin, Josh Richardson and a 2028 second rounder.

  The Warriors acquired Schroder from the Brooklyn Nets in December, but he never became a productive fit with their team. Detroit entered trade deadline week with cap space to help facilitate trades.

  Schroder will be a free agent in the 2025 offseason.

• Sixers Trade KJ Martin, Two 2nd Rounders To Pistons To Drop Below Luxury Tax

  The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to trade KJ Martin and two second round picks to the Detroit Pistons. The trade moves the Sixers fully out of the luxury tax for the season.

  The Sixers will send a 2027 second rounder via the Milwaukee Bucks and a 2031 second round via the Dallas Mavericks to the Pistons.

  The Pistons will take on Martin's contract into their room exception. Martin is averaging 6.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 20.0 minutes across 24 games this season with the Sixers. Martin is on a two-year, $16 million contract with the 25-26 season fully non-guaranteed.

• Isaiah Stewart Suspended One Game For Accruing 6th Flagrant Foul Point

  Isaiah Stewart has been suspended one game without pay for accruing his sixth Flagrant Foul point of the 24-25 regular season.

  Stewart, who entered Wednesday's game with four Flagrant Foul points, received a Flagrant Foul 2 and was ejected with 8:45 remaining in the second quarter of the Pistons' 133-119 loss to the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Jan. 29. Stewart will serve his suspension tonight when the Pistons host the Dallas Mavericks at Little Caesars Arena.

  Stewart has also been fined $50,000 for making inappropriate and objectionable gestures following his ejection.

• Pistons Looking For First-Round Pick To Facilitate Trades

  The Detroit Pistons are looking for a first-round pick in order to facilitate any multi-team trades, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  The team currently have $14 million in cap space.

  It was reported earlier in January that the Pistons could pivot from an asset-acquiring strategy in order to become buyers at the trade deadline due to their strong play.

  The Pistons are currently 23-24 on the year.

• Pistons May Be Deadline Buyers; Not Considering Major Moves

  The Detroit Pistons have considered pivoting from asset-collection mode to being buyers at the trade deadline. Detroit has just over $14 million in cap space to use to make trades ahead of the deadline. Earlier this season, it was expected Pistons GM Trajan Langdon would use that space to take on bad contracts, while continuing to add draft picks and young talent.

  Now, Detroit's strong play ahead of the deadline has Langdon reconsidering that approach. But don't expect any blockbuster moves. Rival teams have said that the Pistons don't seem to be considering any major moves. Instead, Detroit appears focused on making smaller, but targeted upgrades to their roster.

• Teams Monitoring Pat Connaughton Availability

  Rival teams are monitoring the availability of Pat Connaughton, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  The Bucks are currently $6.5 million over the second apron, with Connaughton making $9.42 million this season.

  Connaughton also has a player option for the same amount next season.

  The Pistons, who have $14 million in cap space, are seen as a logical destination for Connaughton.

• Pistons Considering Pivot Away From Renting Out Cap Space At Trade Deadline

  The Detroit Pistons have $14 million in cap space and are $44 million below the luxury tax, which they have intended to rent out to rival teams who either need to save money or to facilitate bigger trades. But with the Pistons in the playoff picture, sources say they are adjusting their strategy and will consider trades to upgrade their roster and for flexibility next season.

  Cade Cunningham could be an All-Star this season and the team is significantly more competitive under J.B. Bickerstaff a year after they went 14-68 with a record-tying 28 straight losses.

  The additions of competent veteran shooters like Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr. has also played a role in their improved play as Cunningham is now operating with more space.

  Trajan Langdon is in his first season running the Pistons after replacing Troy Weaver.

• Pistons Sign Ron Harper Jr., Tolu Smith To Two-Way Deals, Waive Alondes Williams, Cole Swider

  The Detroit Pistons have signed Ron Harper Jr. and Tolu Smith to Two-Way deals. The Pistons have waived Alondes Williams and Cole Swider.

  Harper was in training camp with the Boston Celtics and has played for the Maine Celtics of the G League this season. In 15 G League games, Harper is averaging 13.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 23.0 minutes. Harper played in 10 NBA games across the previous two seasons with the Toronto Raptors.

  In nine G League games this season, Smith is averaging 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 27.9 minutes.