Trade Deadline 2014: Detroit Pistons Trade Targets

Mar 1, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Hornets shooting guard Eric Gordon (10) drives between Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe (10) and guard Brandon Knight (7) in the second quarter of their game at the New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

– As the 2014 NBA trade deadline nears, rumors from all angles are swirling around almost everybody’s favorite teams. Whether they are sellers, buyers, or trying to secure some bench help for a deep playoff push, many teams are looking to make a move to benefit their team in the final stretch of the regular season as we put the All-Star break behind us.

The Detroit Pistons have been a main stay in the “trade rumor” department for most of the season, and now is the time for Joe Dumars (Pistons General Manager) to make a deal come to fruition.

Detroit Pistons GM Joe Dumars and other members involved in the decision-making process have said that Piston Power Forward Greg Monroe will NOT be dealt in any type of dump for financial relief or prospects. The only way the Moose is moved is in a blockbuster deal, NBA.com’s David Aldridge reported earlier this month. As they seem to be committed to Monroe past this season. Word out of the organization as of recently is that the Pistons will match any offer Monroe receives in RFA.

A player Detroit would like to move, Forward Josh Smith, is in somewhat of a sticky situation. Yes, the fit on the Pistons has been horrendous, but the talent is there. Smith could fetch the Pistons a nice return if it wasn’t for the monster contract he signed this offseason (4-years, $54 million), and with Monroe getting set to hit Restricted Free Agency this summer, Detroit may have to decide between the two rather quickly.

Along with the rumors surrounding the two big men, Detroit has plenty of expiring contracts, serviceable role players, and young prospects teams may call and see about their availability, and with Detroit’s struggles this season they should be all ears to any potential deal.

Now, with that being said, let’s look at some other Piston players that may be on the move, as well as some trade targets Detroit would be smart to look into acquiring come Thursday’s deadline.

1.) Jared Dudley: Los Angeles Clippers: SF/SG

Jan 25, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Clippers forward Jared Dudley (9) during their game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Clippers beat the Raptors 126-118. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

– Player Profile:

Height: 6’9″
Weight: 225 lbs.
Age: 28 years (Experience: 6 years)
2013-2014 Season: 7.7 PPG; 2.2 RPG; 1.5 APG; FG: 45%; 3FG: 36%; FT: 65%; 26.2 MPG (Started 42/55 games)(First Season with Clippers)
Career Averages: 8.8 PPG; 3.5 RPG; 1.5 APG; FT: 74%; 3FG: 40%

Possible Trade:
Clippers Receive:
– Jonas Jerebko (2-years, $4.5 million)
Detroit Receives:
– Jared Dudley (3-years, $3.5 million)
Hollinger Analysis: *Detroit (-1) win percentage, trade does not affect Clippers win percentage.

Trade Analysis:
– Earlier this month, ESPN’s Marc Stein tweeted that the Los Angeles Clippers are “itchy to make a deal and Jared Dudley, with (playing time) harder to come by and logjam at wing spots, is unexpectedly in play.” With that being said, the Pistons are in the market for a perimeter shooting wing that can help stretch the floor for their front line, and with the possibilities of a blockbuster deal slim, this kind of minor move seems quite realistic with the Pistons trying to make a final push for the playoffs in the final 30 games. Dudley is one of the elite three-point threats the league has to offer, and having him back-up either Kyle Singler at the two or Josh Smith at the three spot would be a huge boost to Head Coach John Loyer’s bench production.

For the Clippers, they receive a stretch four that is very scrappy and is full-tilt hustle all the time, a player Head Coach Doc Rivers would love to give some run if he plays into his rotation. Byron Mullens, who was signed to be that stretch four for the Clippers has struggled this season and they may want to acquire another option at that four spot for their playoff run come April.

2.) Jerryd Bayless: Boston Celtics: PG/SG

Feb 10, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jerryd Bayless (11) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Boston won 102-86. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

– Player Profile:

Height: 6’3″
Weight: 200 lbs.
Age: 25 years (Experience: 5 years)
2013-2014 Season (Memphis Grizzlies 31 games/Boston Celtics 16 games): 8.1 PPG; 2.8 APG; 1.9 RPG; 21.4 MPG (started 5/47 games) FT: 78%; 3FG: 30%
Career Averages: 8.2 PPG; 2.9 APG; 1.9 RPG; 19.5 MPG; FT: 82%; 3FG: 34%

Possible Trade:
Boston Receives:
– Will Bynum (2-years, $2.8 million)
Detroit Receives:
– Jerryd Bayless (1-year, $3.13 million)
Hollinger Analysis: *Detroit (-1), Boston no effect in win percentage.

Trade Analysis:
– This deal is quite the minor one, and has been rumored by A. Sherrod Blakely of Boston’s CSSNE.com as a potential trade between the two. Blakely: “If a minor deal is out to be made, do not be surprised if Jerryd Bayless and his $3.1 million expiring contract are moved for a player like Detroit’s Will Bynum who makes $2.79 million less than Bayless but has one year remaining on his deal with the Pistons.”

Blakely continued on to say, “Ainge loves what Bayless can do, but the idea of getting further under the luxury tax is even more appealing than keeping him. You can’t really fault Ainge for feeling that way when you consider the Celtics are most likely going to be among the bottom-10 teams in the league this year and yet team’s payroll will stack among the league’s to-10.”

With that being said, GM Joe Dumars has loved Will Bynum for his entire time in Detroit, resigning him this offseason despite signing former 2004 Finals MVP Chauncey Billups and drafting NCAA Champion Point Guard Peyton Siva. Bynum is definitely one of those filler players that might be on the move come 3 P.M. Eastern time Thursday, even if it is not to Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics.

3.) Marvin Williams: Utah Jazz: SF/PF

Apr 12, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz power forward Marvin Williams (2) looks to pass during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

– Player Profile:

Height: 6’9″
Weight: 230 lbs.
Age: 27 years (Experience: 8 years)
2013-2014 Season: 10.3 PPG; 5.6 RPG; 1.2 APG; 26.6 MPG; FT: 79%; 3FG: 40% (second season with the Utah Jazz[expiring contract])
Career Averages: 10.9 PPG; 5.1 RPG; 1.3 APG; 29.3 MPG; FT: 80%; 3FG: 34%

Possible Trade:
Utah Receives:
– Charlie Villanueva (1-year, $8.58 million)
– Tony Mitchell (R)(3-years, $500,000)
Detroit Receives:
– Marvin Williams (1-year, $7.5 million)
Hollinger Analysis: Detroit (+2), Utah (-3) in win percentage.

Trade Analysis:
– Although neither Jazz forward Marvin Williams or Piston big man Tony Mitchell have been involved in any trade rumors, this deal seems to fit the bill as a “win-win” for both franchises. For Utah, they receive a larger expiring deal in Charlie Villanueva (about $1 million extra coming off the books), along with receiving a very talented, and very raw athletic Power Forward they can develop into a nice role player behind Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. In addition, the Jazz essentially lower their projected win percentage which may be a good thing in the eyes of the Utah front office as they try to improve their draft odds in the Draft Lottery.

For the Pistons, they acquire a tweener forward that can play either the three spot or four. Loyer has a few options he could do with Williams. With Piston F/C Josh Harrellson still out indefinitely with a slight tear in his knee, Loyer could opt to use Williams as the stretch four off the bench to relieve Greg Monroe or Josh Smith. Williams is shooting a scorching 40 percent from downtown this season (career-high), a problem the Pistons are in dyer need of solving.

4.) Louis Williams: Atlanta Hawks: SG/PG

January 4, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Louis Williams (3) moves the ball against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

– Player Profile:

Height: 6’2″
Weight: 175 lbs.
Age: 27 years (Experience: 8 years)
2013-2014 Season: 9.4 PPG; 3.6 APG; 1.9 RPG; 23.7 MPG (Started 6/38 games for Atlanta); FT: 83%; 3FG: 36%
Career Averages: 11.4 PPG; 3.1 APG; 2.0 RPG; 22.5 MPG; FT: 80%; 3FG: 34%

Possible Trade:
Atlanta Receives:
– Rodney Stuckey (1-year, $8.5 million)
Detroit Receives:
– Louis Williams (2-years, $5.2 million)
– Gustavo Ayon (1-year, $1.5 million)
Hollinger Analysis: *Detroit (-4), Atlanta (+2) win percentage.

Trade Analysis:
– This move listed above is somewhat of a more difficult trade to execute if you’re the Pistons. The Hawks are sitting on the number fifth spot in the East, losers of five straight, a game ahead of the seventh seeded Brooklyn Nets, and 1 1/2 games behind the Chicago Bulls for the fourth spot and the opportunity to host a first round series in Atlanta.

The Hawks have the opportunity to go in two different directions with their recent struggles, they can either shake it up, acquire a solid combo guard like Rodney Stuckey that can be your sixth man and get you much-needed points for your second unit. Or, sit tight at the deadline and hope that the injuries piling up don’t derail your team. In addition to that, the Hawks free up some cap space and get some financial relief heading into the summer of 2014 without giving up a huge package of prospects or picks to do so. Williams has struggled after returning from his torn ACL injury last season, and acquiring Stuckey may turn out to be an upgrade for Atlanta.

For the Pistons, they have the opportunity to trade an expiring contract, a player they most likely are not retaining this summer, and acquire a player that has hit some big shots in big situations, has playoff experience, and has a relationship with your star forward Josh Smith. Williams can help space the floor at the Shooting Guard position, whether it be off the bench or as the full-time starter.

Along with Williams, Detroit would acquire Hawk Center Gustavo Ayon who is a defensive center that can help play some spot minutes behind the Piston front line at the five-spot as Josh Harrellson continues to heal from his slight meniscus tear in his left knee.

5.) Eric Gordon: New Orleans Pelicans: SG

Jan 24, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard Eric Gordon (10) makes the game winning shot during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. New Orleans won 103-101. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Player Profile:

Height: 6’3″
Weight: 222 lbs.
Age: 25 years (Experience: 5 years)
2013-2014 Season: 15.8 PPG; 3.3 APG; 2.7 RPG; FG: 43%; 3FG: 38%; FT: 78% (Third Season with New Orleans Organization, previously with Los Angeles Clippers for three seasons)
Career Averages: 17.6 PPG; 3.3 APG; 2.6 RPG; FT: 81%; 3FG: 37%

Possible Trade:
New Orleans Receives:
– Rodney Stuckey (1-year, $8.5 million)
– Charlie Villanueva (1-year, $8.58 million)
– Future Second Round Pick (2015)
Detroit Receives:
– Eric Gordon (3-years, $14.3 million)
– Anthony Morrow (2-years, $1.02 million)
Hollinger Analysis: New Orleans (-1), does not affect Detroit’s win percentage.

Trade Analysis:
– This trade involving the Pelicans is a big risk deal, that could help fill out the Piston starting five and add a premier shooter to their bench (Anthony Morrow), and help boost them to their first playoff appearance in five seasons.

The move could help Joe Dumars save his failing job, giving the Pistons a playoff bid, something owner Tom Gores set out as a must accomplish goal for this season, but it could also ruin the Pistons long-term financial future. Trading away their two expiring deals, along with adding three years of Eric Gordon’s monster contract ($14.3 million), Detroit will be breaking the bank for a team that’s ceiling may be winning a first round playoff series.

Detroit would solve their shooting problems (theoretically) by adding two prolific outside shooters in Gordon and Morrow, but would be giving up any sort of flexibility they would have to try and (fail) persuade a super star to come join this dysfunctional franchise. Even with the financial repercussions, a starting five of Jennings, Gordon, Smith, Monroe, and Drummond, with shooters like Kyle Singler and Anthony Morrow coming off the bench. It may be a very enticing deal for Dumars and Gores to try and bring a buzz back to The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Don’t forget to check up on all the latest trade rumors and chatter throughout this Trade Deadline week, we will have all the coverage of this exiting period of the NBA season all week-long here at Life On Dumars.

*Statistics provided by basketball-reference.com