Pistons’ trade values sky high after beating Bobcats on eve of NBA trade deadline

Nobody has started more games this season than Maxiell, so you know he’s good. Imagine a team that trade for him to be backup. That’s insane value.

35 MIN | 7-13 FG | 5-5 FT | 7 REB | 7 AST | 1 STL | 3 BLK | 1 TO | 19 PTS | +1

It’s just the seventh time someone has posted 19 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three blocks this season. Who cares that three of the games have in Charlotte by Bobcats opponents? It still puts Monroe in special company.

29 MIN | 4-8 FG | 5-6 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 17 PTS | +13

Calderon has well-deserved reputation as a top passer, but don’t forget about his outside shooting (4-of-4 on 3-pointers tonight). Just don’t look at his 2-point attempts (0-for-4) or defense.

30 MIN | 7-11 FG | 4-4 FT | 3 REB | 5 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 21 PTS | +4

Knight clearly figured out how to play shooting guard before injuring his right knee late in the third quarter. Staying aggressive might not come as naturally without the ball in his hands as often, but Knight found the right balance tonight. He’s the type of budding talent any team should love to have. And he showed his toughness by returning in the fourth quarter.

23 MIN | 4-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 3 TO | 8 PTS | +10

Singler has really settled in at small forward, a position where he can concentrate on shooting efficiently rather than chasing around quick guards all night.

26 MIN | 3-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 9 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 0 TO | 7 PTS | +7

Villanueva would, admittedly, be a bit of a reclamation project for any team that trades for him, but the way he got after it on defense tonight must be encouraging. He can stretch the floor and score without question, but can he defend at least decently regularly? That’s the question any team trading for him must ask, and tonight’s results indicate yes.

9 MIN | 1-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | -4

Jerebko certainly isn’t afraid to shoot, and shooting is usually the first step to scoring. Jerebko established his ability to defend, rebound and hustle in previous seasons. If his ability to score matches his ability to shoot this season, he could have excellent value.

13 MIN | 3-4 FG | 0-2 FT | 4 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 6 PTS | +5

Kravtsov went 3-for-4, and his field-goal percentage actually dropped. No worries. He still leads the NBA in field-goal percentage (minimum: two shots). He’s a

lean

wide, mean, efficiently-scoring machine.

26 MIN | 4-9 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 7 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 8 PTS | -2

Bynum, whether scoring himself or setting up his teammates, would make nearly any bench more effective offensively. Tonight, he showed off both those skills.

30 MIN | 5-11 FG | 2-4 FT | 7 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 12 PTS | -6

Stuckey scored nine points in six minutes, including consecutive baskets while being fouled, in the middle of the second half. When he heats up, he’s still a capable scorer who can get to the free-throw line at a strong rate. And don’t forget, he has the stature to be a plus defender.

DNP COACH’S DECISION

Maggette didn’t play tonight, but he didn’t sign a contract extension, either. His value remains sky high.

Khris Middleton, SF

DNP COACH’S DECISION

Middleton didn’t miss a shot, didn’t turn the ball over and didn’t commit a foul. Plus, he has the potential to produce, literally, infinitely more than he did tonight.

Kim English, SG

DNP COACH’S DECISION

Remember Middleton’s potential to produce more than he did tonight? Multiply it by infinity, and you have English’s.

Frank is a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad coach. He always puts his players in uncomfortable positions, and they could all excel on other teams. Frank is the only thing standing between the Pistons and 60 wins. Attention any of the NBA’s other 29 general managers: When offering trades for Pistons players, offer a bit more, because once you get them away from Frank, they’ll star for your team.