Pistons could still address their playmaking needs with this underrated trade target

The Detroit Pistons have made some offseason moves and addressed their shooting weakness. However, they still lack offensive firepower. Secondary playmaking and ball-handling next to Cade Cunningham were big weaknesses last season. Drafting Ebuka Okorie was an attempt to fix that in the long run, but the 19-year-old point guard will need some time before he can be a rotation player.

That is why it behooves the Pistons to acquire another creator in the backcourt. At this point, Pistons fans can give up on their dreams of a blockbuster trade involving Kyrie Irving or Trey Murphy, but there are still players on the trade block who can make a big difference for Detroit.

Ty Jerome is the ideal low-cost trade target the Pistons must consider

One of those players is Ty Jerome of the Memphis Grizzlies. The 29-year-old point guard has gone under the radar this summer as a trade target because he missed most of last season with an injury. When he was available, however, Jerome continued his impressive form from the 2024-25 season, when he came in third in 6th Man of the Year voting.

Over his last two seasons in Memphis and Cleveland, Jerome has averaged 13.8 points and 3.8 assists in 20.4 minutes per game on incredible 50.5/43.3/87.3 shooting splits. He has been one of the most efficient backup guards in the league. In addition to efficient scoring, Jerome is a high-usage player who rarely turns the ball over, making him a high-level offensive player.

Jerome is a defensive liability. He is slow-footed and underathletic and doesn't have good length. But that is why he is a backup and only makes $9.2 million next season. This also makes him gettable for the Pistons.

The Grizzlies are in the midst of a rebuild and would presumably not mind moving on from the 29-year-old Jerome for future assets. They already have Scotty Pippen Jr., Walter Clayton Jr., Cam Spencer, and Javon Small in the backcourt and want to give all of these youngsters an opportunity. This makes Jerome expendable for the right price.

Jerome's salary makes the trade an easy one to execute. The Pistons can include any combination of matching salary to make the trade work because they have a $15 million trade exception from the Isaiah Stewart deal.

The important thing here will be the draft capital. One has to assume that an unprotected first-round pick would be enough for the Pistons to acquire Jerome. That may seem like a lot for some Pistons fans unfamiliar with Jerome's game, but he is the exact type of low-cost shot creator and shot maker who could take Detroit's offense to the next level.

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This article was originally published on detroitjockcity.com as Pistons could still address their playmaking needs with this underrated trade target.