In a scenario where the Detroit Pistons decide to roll the dice on a win-now acquisition through the trade market, the Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler could be an option.

When Butler’s name initially reached the trade rumor mill, it was suggested there were only a handful of teams he was open to playing for. To no surprise, the Pistons were not on that list.

After a Heat loss to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, Butler was straightforward about where he’s at mentally while playing for the Heat. The All-Star wants out.

“I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball,” Butler told reporters. “Wherever that may be, we’ll find out here pretty soon, but I want to get my joy back. I’m happy here off the court, but I want to be back to someone dominant, I want to hoop, and I want to help this team win. Right now, I’m not doing that.”

Where is he willing to go? Apparently, anywhere else.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Butler officially requested a trade this week. Unlike most stars today, Butler does not have a list of preferred destinations to put in front of Miami’s decision-makers.

“He is open to playing anywhere other than Miami and believes he can make any team a contender, no matter where he is moved,” Charania reports.

It appears that Butler would be open to joining the Pistons—along with 28 other teams.

Acquiring a star player while hovering around the Play-In would be a gamble for Detroit.

Landing a star player, who is likely a half-season rental at this point, would be like playing the lottery.

Butler’s experience and skillset would undoubtedly help the young team’s potential postseason push, especially with Cade Cunningham’s co-star Jaden Ivey suffering a long-term injury earlier this week.

But the Pistons have to keep reality in check. They might be ready for the playoffs, but they aren’t a Butler away from landing in championship contention.

Weeks ago, it was made clear that Butler has intentions of declining his looming player option for next season this summer so he can become a free agent and reset his own market.

According to Charania, the situation remains the same.

“Teams have been informed that Butler intends to decline his 2025-26 player option and become a free agent in July, sources said.”

If the Pistons want Butler bad enough, they can pursue him next summer without giving up any assets now. Seeing as though Trajan Langdon isn’t in a championship-or-bust position with his job, the Pistons will continue operating like a team more on the rebuilding side.

With that said Butler is still a name to keep an eye on. While the Pistons might not join his current trade market, his recent request could shake up the Eastern Conference.

The Detroit Lions waived wide receiver Tom Kennedy on Thursday and re-signed defensive back Morice Norris to the practice squad after waiving him earlier in the week. Detroit opens a spot on the active roster by waiving Kennedy, which could be used to reinstate Kalif Raymond if he’s able to return from injured reserve.

Detroit is also getting linebacker Alex Anzalone back into the mix ahead of a Week 18 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

Anzalone is in the midst of his return-to-play window after a stint on injured reserve, and was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. During the portion of practice open to the media, Anzalone was observed wearing a cast on his injured forearm.

Should Anzalone be deemed ready to play on Sunday, the Lions would welcome his presence. As a veteran who has been reliable and possesses a calm demeanor, the Florida product’s return would be exciting for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s group.

Because of several injuries to the linebacking corps, the group has been targeted in play-action more often as of late. Glenn noted that it was similar to teams testing their secondary before the group fully gelled and had success.

“I think (Lions CB Terrion Arnold) TA early on, he was getting targeted a lot, then he started improving, really. So, I don’t think his targets are actually up to where they were early in the season,” Glenn said. “Amik (Robertson)’s always been a dog. He’s always been a guy that’s been really good in coverage, and I just think at some point they would be like, ‘OK well, who am I going to go at?’ And then they start going at the tight ends. And I can just tell you totally, is it a matchup problem or whatnot. I do know that our guys do a good job in the coverage area when it comes to man coverage. We just have to continue to improve on some of the explosive plays and some of the mistakes as far as switching off on guys and making sure that we don’t have anybody running wide open.”

Dan Campbell said Wednesday that Thursday’s practice would be a big one for Anzalone, as it would allow the staff to observe what he’s able to do within certain drills.

“But listen, I’m looking forward to getting him back out there,” Glenn said. “I can’t say if he’ll be out there this week. He’s getting himself back acclimated to how we do things in practice, and so hopefully we’ll get him back really soon.”

Lions Week 18 Thursday injury report

David Montgomery — NP (Knee)
Christian Mahogany — NP (Illness)
Emmanuel Moseley — NP (Illness)
Alex Anzalone — FP (Forearm)
Jack Campbell — FP (Rib)
Amik Robertson — FP (Calf)
Kalif Raymond — FP (Foot)