The Detroit Pistons are turning away from free-agent options this offseason and are instead hunting trade packages that can add reliable perimeter shooting. The front office’s priority is to avoid entangling the upcoming contract talks for restricted-free-agent-to-be Jalen Duren and rookie Ausar Thompson, whose rookie-scale extension window opens on July 6 and runs through the eve of Opening Night in October.

Duren will be a restricted free agent when his rookie deal expires, giving Detroit the right to match any offer sheet. Thompson’s eligibility for a rookie-scale extension means the Pistons must reach an agreement with him between early July and the start of the regular season. Both players are on contracts that sit comfortably under the salary cap, leaving the club enough flexibility to absorb a modest salary in a trade for a proven shooter without jeopardizing the extensions.

Adding a three-point specialist fits the Pistons’ offensive scheme, which relies on interior dominance and wing slashing. Consistent spacing forces defenses to respect the arc, freeing Duren for pick-and-roll action and giving Thompson room to cut to the rim. A veteran shooter who can stretch defenses would complement the team’s low-post power and improve overall efficiency.

Detroit’s recent history shows a willingness to move draft capital and role players to fill specific gaps. By targeting a shooter through a trade, the Pistons can preserve cap flexibility while addressing a clear need. The market for proven three-point threats includes players on modest contracts who could be acquired without significantly altering the team’s financial outlook.

The next few weeks will shape the Pistons’ path. Securing Thompson’s extension by the July 6 deadline is the first milestone, followed by the need to decide on Duren’s restricted-free-agent status. If the front office lands a reliable three-point shooter via trade, it can lock in its young core with confidence; if not, the team may have to return to free-agent options later, potentially complicating the extension talks it hoped to simplify.