The Detroit Pistons are reportedly showing interest in acquiring Anthony Davis, according to former NBA player Kendrick Perkins. Speaking on the Road Trippin’ Show, Perkins indicated the Pistons could make a move by matching salaries and moving Tobias Harris’ expiring contract.
Davis, 32, is in the first year of a three-year, $54 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, who are exploring trade options for the 10-time All-Star. Detroit would need to maintain its core of Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren while potentially adding Davis to its roster.
The Pistons are 14-2 this season and boast a young core with Cunningham averaging 27.4 points and 9.9 assists per game and Duren contributing 20.5 points and 11.5 rebounds. Detroit’s balanced roster depth and salary cap flexibility give the team options to explore a blockbuster trade.
Dallas, meanwhile, is 5-13 and over the $154.6 million salary cap, carrying $201.5 million in active roster commitments. Key salaries include Davis at $54.1 million, Kyrie Irving at $36.6 million, and Klay Thompson at $16.7 million. The Mavericks also project $86.9 million in negative cap space for the 2026 offseason.
Perkins noted that trading Harris’ expiring contract could help Detroit free up space to acquire additional young talent alongside Davis. The Pistons could leverage their current roster of emerging stars and veterans to facilitate a potential swap, depending on Dallas’ willingness to engage.
A Davis move to Detroit would pair one of the league’s premier big men with a Pistons roster already leading the Eastern Conference in early-season performance. The team has shown versatility, with players like Ausar Thompson and Duncan Robinson providing scoring and floor spacing.
