DETROIT >> The NBA’s landscape could undergo significant changes this summer. The Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo is among several prominent players who could be donning new jerseys by the start of the 2025-26 season. Joining the two-time MVP winner who could also be on the move are the Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant and the New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson, with more to follow.

Antetokounmpo is reportedly interested in “exploring the best potential fits outside of Milwaukee.”

Given the abundance of top-tier talent that might be available, several teams are expected to explore trade opportunities in hopes of elevating their franchises next season. And the Detroit Pistons are one of the most intriguing teams that could get involved in trade discussions.

President of basketball operations Trajan Langdon will conduct due diligence when exploring different ways to improve the team. However, there is a greater chance that Langdon will remain true to his original plan of staying patient while pursuing the goal of building sustainable success.

“I’ve said to stay patient, and I’m not going to change in that regard,” Langdon said. “We’re always looking at avenues to get better, but we have to make the right decisions for sustainable success.”

After their most successful season in nine years, Langdon is far from complacent. In fact, he understands the urgency of building upon the Pistons’ success, especially when it comes to capitalizing on Cade Cunningham’s prime.

The Pistons have the assets and culture to land an esteemed player. They have a little under $20 million in cap space to spend, and for the first time in five years, they have control of their future draft picks. In any potential blockbuster trade, they can pair these picks with a handful of young and promising talents. However, Langdon does not seem pleased with the idea of giving up on their young core.

He enters the offseason believing the Pistons have a solid group of players capable of helping the franchise take the next step and is willing to give them an additional year to demonstrate their significance.

“We have to learn more about our players,” Langdon said. “All of these guys will come back, and with the continuity of the roster and coaching staff, that will be a positive going into the summer and into next season. The questions will be there about what we will do. Do we add another person, or do we build from within? But like I said before, we will look at all avenues and decide what the best avenues will be for us.”

Langdon is high on Ron Holland II and Ausar Thompson, two players he believes could benefit from their first complete summer training like a pro. Last year, a bulk of Holland’s summer was spent preparing for the 2024 NBA Draft while Thompson was recovering from a blood clot.

Langdon is also looking forward to Jalen Duren’s ongoing improvements. After a slow start to the season, Duren established himself as one of the NBA’s best young bigs after averaging 11.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks across 78 games. He also registered the ninth-most double-doubles in the league at 41.

This summer, every move the Pistons make will focus on helping the team win its first playoff series since 2008. The Pistons believe they are more equipped to achieve the goal next season due to the return of Jaden Ivey and Isaiah Stewart, who missed Detroit’s six-game series against the New York Knicks with injuries.

Langdon believes Ivey’s return would be as beneficial as making a significant move due to the dynamic he brings to the team.

“Those guys can grow and are on the upward trajectory in terms of their careers and development, and they were able to make this run,” Langdon said.

With Langdon at the helm, the Pistons would be willing to explore the trade market if the team had an older group that had reached its ceiling.

The 2024-25 season was a notable success. Now, the Pistons aim to build on that achievement, which re-established the team as a respectable and distinguished franchise. However, their strategy will not focus on pursuing a win-now trade.

“When you have guys who are going to be better next year, the expectations are for those players to be better,” Langdon said. “You can look at getting better through development with a different lens with a core group at this age than you would with an older age.”