After a historic turnaround and their first playoff win in 17 years, it's time for the Pistons to look ahead. A big offseason is next, featuring a "major decision" for Trajan Langdon, says Valenti. While some might prefer bringing back the same team that just gave the Knicks all they could handle in the first round of the playoffs, "it's not that simple," Valenti says:
"If you look at the Pistons and their roster and I ask you what you want to do, it comes with a bit of a problem. And the problem is that keeping the band together takes you over the cap, and you’re nowhere close to winning a championship. On no planet is this team ready to win a title."
The Pistons have three key free agents in Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dennis Schroder. That's before considering new deals for extension-eligible players like Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren. Valenti says it's impossible to bring everyone back and get substantially better. With that in mind, should the Pistons "make a splash and expedite this thing?"
Given the changing landscape in their own conference, Valenti says they have "the ability to make a move and immediately be a top-three team in the East."
The move Valenti proposes doesn't involve Kevin Durant or Devin Booker, two stars on the Suns who have been linked in rumors to the Pistons. It doesn't call for "something insane, like trading five first-round picks." What he's asking for after the Pistons came up just short against the Knicks is "one adult who can help close a playoff series."
It does involve parting ways with either Tobias Harris or Isaiah Stewart to clear cap space, either Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland to sweeten the pot, and a couple first-round picks. And it involves bringing back a two-time All-Star and former first overall pick who Langdon knows well from his time with the Pelicans:
"Here’s the offer," says Valenti. "Tobias Harris -- because you gotta get rid of that money ($26 million next season) -- their choice of Holland or Ausar, two first-round picks, for three years of Zion Williamson."
Williamson is coming off another injury-shortened season in which he played in just 30 games before being shut down with a back bone contusion, but he averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists when healthy. Of course, it was the fourth time in his six-year career that Williamson played in 30 or fewer games.
Williamson, who turns 25 this summer, is under contract for three more seasons with escalating cap hits of $39.5 million, $42.1 million and $44.5 million.
Langdon was GM of the Pelicans when they drafted Williamson first overall in 2019 and watched him up close for the next five seasons before taking over the Pistons last summer.
"Again," says Valenti, "Trajan Langdon knows him better than any of us. If he makes a move, you trust Trajan. If he stays away, you’re not going to hear me yell about it. He knows the player."
But to those who say the Pistons "have to be patient" coming off their best season in nearly two decades with a promising young roster, "all I’m telling you is, the opportunity is there and the East is going to look a lot different next year. So why not paint it red, white and blue?"