NBA Mock Trade Adds Star Scorer Next to Cade Cunningham on Detroit Pistons

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By JH Kubicek | Last updated May 8, 2025 4:12 PM ET

The Detroit Pistons, after shocking the NBA world and making the playoffs outright as the sixth seed, are looking to build on their success. Cade Cunningham is the centerpiece, but with plenty of young players on affordable contracts, the Pistons could swing a massive trade to add a superstar.

While the odds of landing Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounmpo are low, Detroit could replace their outgoing free agent--Tim Hardaway Jr.--with an established scorer who could slot into the starting lineup alongside Cunningham.

If Detroit is, for whatever reason, unable to re-sign either Hardaway Jr. or Malik Beasley, they could land a fringe All-Star to round out their backcourt.

With only one season left on his contract, CJ McCollum could be a good fit.

"He can match THJ's volume as a three-point shooter, while having a lot more ability to score from the mid-range and create for himself and others off the bounce," suggested Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey. "He'd also take a lot of pressure off Cade Cunningham without stressing Detroit's own defense much more than Hardaway does."

McCollum will make $30.6 million next season, so absorbing his salary isn't the easiest thing in the world, but if the offseason draws to a close and Detroit hasn't made a significant move, adding him wouldn't be the worst last resort.

Mock Trade Details

Pistons receive: CJ McCollum

Pelicans receive: Tobias Harris, Simone Fontecchio

Fontecchio played himself out of the lineup down the stretch this season, and Harris could help space the floor for the Pelicans, provided that Zion Williamson is healthy. Detroit walks away with the best player in this deal, and with everyone on expiring contracts, neither team is affected long-term.

Detroit might have to include a heavily-protected draft pick to sweeten the pot, although with New Orleans not competing for much next season, they might have a fire sale to tank again.

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

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