The Detroit Pistons are expected to be one of the NBA’s most aggressive teams this offseason, and a new report suggests Tyler Herro and Norman Powell are among the organization’s top targets following the blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Detroit has legitimate interest in acquiring Herro while also monitoring Powell’s situation as the Miami Heat navigate a complicated financial landscape after landing Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Heat paid a steep price to acquire the two-time MVP, sending Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, multiple draft picks and additional assets to Milwaukee. As a result, Miami now faces significant roster-building challenges heading into free agency.
“Trading away Jaquez and Jakucionis in addition to Herro and Ware heightens the need for Miami to find a way to hold onto unrestricted free agent-to-be Norman Powell,” Stein and Fischer wrote.
“Which will be complicated.”
The report indicates that Detroit’s interest in Herro remains active even after the former Heat guard was acquired by Milwaukee as part of the Antetokounmpo deal.
“As The Stein Line first reported last Thursday, Detroit has legitimate interest in acquiring Herro and league sources say those talks are taking place,” Stein and Fischer wrote.
“Sources indicate that the Bucks will both listen to trade offers for Herro and consider keeping the Milwaukee native on the roster.”
Tyler Herro, Norman Powell headline growing Pistons wish list
Miami’s financial constraints could also create an opportunity for Detroit to pursue Powell if Herro proves unattainable.
“The Heat certainly surrendered a good bit of financial flexibility in trading for Antetokounmpo,” Stein and Fischer wrote.
“Sources say that the Pistons indeed intend to add Powell, who is coming off his first All-Star season, to their list of potential offseason targets as they look to add shooting and playmaking in support of star guard Cade Cunningham.”
Powell is hardly the only player on Detroit’s radar. Stein and Fischer reported that the Pistons are also evaluating several other backcourt and wing options as they attempt to strengthen a roster that finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference during the regular season.
The list reportedly includes Coby White, Isaiah Joe, Trey Murphy III, Kyrie Irving and Austin Reaves.
Detroit enters the offseason after a 60-22 campaign that ended in a second-round playoff loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Team president Trajan Langdon has repeatedly emphasized the need to explore every avenue for improvement while balancing key internal priorities.
Those priorities include negotiating a new contract for restricted free agent Jalen Duren and discussing a rookie-scale extension with defensive standout Ausar Thompson.
Whether the Pistons ultimately land Herro, Powell or another target remains uncertain. However, Stein and Fischer’s reporting suggests Detroit intends to remain active as it searches for additional shooting and playmaking around Cunningham following its breakthrough season.
The post NBA rumors: Norman Powell joins Tyler Herro, others as Pistons targets with Heat in tricky financial spot post-Giannis trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.
