Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Detroit Pistons Could Bail Out LA Lakers in Future-Driven Mock Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By JH Kubicek | Last updated May 24, 2025 8:22 AM ET

The Detroit Pistons, after snapping their playoff drought and taking the New York Knicks to six games, are expected to be back and better next season. Cade Cunningham has emerged as a franchise centerpiece, and Jaden Ivey will be returning to a deep and talented lineup.

The Los Angeles Lakers, on the other hand, are expected to remain one of the better teams in the Western Conference, although they need to pick a direction. Are they still LeBron James' team, or is Luka Doncic the face of the Lake Show?

Either way, they need to add a defensive-minded center and lob threat this summer. Nic Claxton, Daniel Gafford, Mitchell Robinson, and others have been floated as options, although Isaiah Stewart makes the most sense.

Stewart is a starting caliber center provided there is spacing around him, which the Lakers have in spades with James, Doncic, and Austin Reaves. With the Lakers, he could rebound, block shots, and catch lobs, all things he excels at despite being undersized.

Los Angeles showed its hand this season by offering Dalton Knecht and a second-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams before a failed medical evaluation undid the trade. Stewart has three seasons left on a $60 million contract, so the Lakers will need to balance his salary.

Full mock trade details

Pistons receive: Dalton Knecht, Dorian Finney-Smith

Lakers receive: Isaiah Stewart

Now, Stewart and James would have to put aside their differences, as a blood-covered Stewart chased James around the court in 2021.

However, in the name of winning, the two competitors could put their differences aside.

The Pistons add a high-level wing to replace free agent Tim Hardaway Jr. in Finney-Smith, and upgrade on perimeter defense. Knecht, hopefully, will blossom into an elite shooter, giving the Pistons a long-term starting five of Cunningham, Ivey, Knecht, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren.

Ron Holland, Dennis Schroder, and Malik Beasley round out a very good bench unit.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: