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Pistons Mock Trade Lands Giannis Antetokounmpo in Head-Turning Deal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zachary Rainey | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 8:00 PM ET

The Detroit Pistons are coming off of one of their most successful seasons in recent memory. They improved by a massive 30 wins after finishing in last place in the Eastern Conference. They earned the No. 6 seed in the NBA Playoffs, but fell in six games to the New York Knicks.

While they didn't win the series, they notched their first playoff wins since 2008. After their successful season, they head into the offseason looking to build on this season's success and not let it prove to be a comet or an anomaly.

Pistons mock trade lands Giannis Antetokounmpo in head-turning deal

The Pistons had many people nominated for different awards in the regular season. Cade Cunningham was nominated for Most Improved Player, J.B. Bickerstaff for Coach of the Year, and Malik Beasley for Sixth Man of the Year. While none of them took home their respective awards, they've laid the foundation for what could be something special.

In a recent mock trade by ESPN, the possibility was presented that the Pistons could land megastar Giannis Antetokounmpo. It would involve the Pistons sending Tobias Harris, Jaden Ivey, Isaiah Stewart, and first-round picks in 2027, 2029, and 2031.

lol ESPN pic.twitter.com/I1NfbSLKDV
— Bucks Film Room (@BucksFilmRoom) June 18, 2025

It's not every day a team makes a trade of this magnitude, let alone to an inter-conference rival. While Antetokounmpo would turn any team he lands on into a contender just from the talent level alone, his fit beside Cunningham is questionable and would leave the Pistons with not many floor spacers.

However, on the other side, the talent level could be too good for the Pistons to pass up, and they could work on fit and surrounding teammates at a later time. The Pistons have a window, and while this would give them a better chance at a title on paper, it might shorten said window.

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

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