3-on-3: Recent Pistons rumors

1. Would you trade Jonas Jerebko for Derrick Williams?

Patrick Hayes: Before I answer that question, can I ask another? Why does every coach seem to hate Jonas Jerebko? On the surface, he’s the exact type of player coaches love — he hustles, he’s a reasonably effective situational defender, he rarely takes bad shots on offense, he’s been a reliable 3-point shooter the last two seasons. And yet throughout his Pistons career, he’s always had a difficult time securing a consistent spot in the rotation of the … what are we at now? … three dozen or so coaches the Pistons have had during his career. He’s reasonably productive, he plays hard, what’s not to like?

But yeah, I’d definitely trade him for Derrick Williams even though Williams appears to be a pretty terrible NBA player. It’s already fairly clear Jerebko doesn’t figure into he team’s long-term plans, they already have a replacement for him who does similar things in Anthony Tolliver, so why not figure out if Stan Van Gundy can coax better production out of a once-elite prospect who has had the misfortune of playing for two of the more mismanaged franchises in the NBA to start his career?

Pardeep Toor: By all visual accounts, Derrick Williams cannot shoot from anywhere, defend anyone and hasn’t displayed a single redeemable basketball skill that suggests he’s a professional player at this level. He looks heavier than he did at Arizona so I assume he’s lost some the perimeter quickness that made him so unique as a potential power forward. All that being said, I love and still believe in Williams. Did you know that Williams shot 56.8% (74 attempts) from the 3-point territory in his sophomore year of college? You shouldn’t lose that skill after being buried on the bench behind Kevin Love and Boogie Cousins to start your career. I would definitely trade for Williams. I have a soft spot for hybrid small-power forwards. My dream trade would be Jerebko for Williams/Jae Crowder/Jeff Adrien. Give me all the tweeners.

Dan Feldman: Yes. Maybe I just can’t get it out of my head how good Williams was his last year at Arizona, but I still see his promise. Between two players who likely won’t remain in Detroit beyond this season, give me the younger one with more upside. It’s not as if the Pistons are making much use of Jerebko’s production now, anyway.

2. Would you trade Jodie Meeks, Jonas Jerebko, Caron Butler and Joel Anthony for Joe Johnson?

Patrick Hayes: I’m convinced that if the Pistons truly think trading for Iso Joe is an idea worth serious consideration that they must only be watching film of him murdering the Pistons this season — he’s shot 57 percent against them in three games. No, this is a terrible idea. The Pistons are finally (FINALLY) in a position to have a productive offseason, with cap space and several intriguing free agents who could theoretically be interested in playing for a team that, at times this season, has looked competent for the first time in about a decade. Don’t mess that up to continue the franchise’s weird infatuation with the 2008 Atlanta Hawks.

Pardeep Toor: Joe Johnson is a cold-blooded assassin who decimates teams slowly and methodically, without regard for the women and children in attendance witnessing his possession-by-possession massacre of the opponent. He’s a joy to watch in the same vain as Tim Duncan, Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge – controlled, precise, intelligent and yet still over-powering and dominant. Iso-Joe has a negative connotation but forgotten in the endless pursuit of internet-witticism is that Johnson is a damn good isolation option. He’s better in the post than majority of the bigs in the league, draws a double-team and can dribble out of it or find the open man and is a match-up nightmare for anyone not named LeBron. This trade is a no-brainer. Johnson can win a playoff round by himself just like he did last year over Toronto. Unfortunately cap-o-logists have ruined Johnson and are trying to sabotage and undermine his near Hall-of-Fame career by associating his production with how much money he makes. Who cares what he makes. That’s now my problem. Who cares if the Pistons are over the cap, under the cap, paying luxury tax, losing money, making money – it doesn’t matter. People have been brain-washed to believe that salary cap limitations are real natural laws that are governing this world when in reality, it’s just another bad union contract, mimicking those in others industries in which are parents worked or some of us might be working in right now. What matters is that I was at the Pistons home-opener when Johnson torched the Pistons for 34/8/6. He got so hot in the fourth quarter that I was rooting for Johnson to get the ball over the Pistons winning. It was a memorable experience. He’s a special and under-appreciated player in the league right now. Focus on hoop and you will see beauty in Johnson’s game. Focus on the noise and you will become deaf to the gorgeous spectacle that is hoop.

Dan Feldman: No. Johnson is an above-average player, but at his age, he might not hold even that level next season. That’s not worth nuking Detroit’s 2015 cap space and creating a need at point guard. There’s a decent chance Jennings, even accounting for his injury, is better than Johnson next season. And Jennings costs a third as much.

3. Would you sign Draymond Green to a max offer sheet?

Patrick Hayes: Draymond Green (a.k.a the Dancing Bear) can have all Tom Gores’ money. Give him three max contracts. Here’s the thing about all of the people who pretend to be experts on what players are worth: Green is worth what teams will pay him. It’s the same lame and pointless debate that we’ve had about Greg Monroe for, what, two years now? People fixate on perceived weaknesses and come up with subjective reasons why a player’s value should be limited. “Monroe can’t defend, so that’s why he’s not a max player. Green is a tweener without a true position, so he’s not a max player.” Just shut up already. Green is an emotional leader on the league’s best team, a great defensive player, a passable offensive player, has an exemplary work ethic and is still getting better. Plus, if reports are accurate, he actually has some interest in playing for the Pistons. Stop overthinking it and just give the Dancing Bear his honey pot.

Pardeep Toor:  Draymond Green (a.k.a Baby Smiles) is a throwback fantasy basketball player. He’s a vintage early 2000s big in the same mold as Kevin Garnett, Shawn Marion, Andrei Kirilenko and Elton Brand. He’s not quite at the level of those four fantasy Hall-of-Famers but the 3-pointers/rebounds/assists/blocks/steals numbers are incredible. He’s a five category fantasy stud. Baby Smiles is going to be a top-10 pick in Fall 2016’s fantasy draft and all top-10 picks are max players. So yes, max Baby Smiles and enjoy the flexibility of selecting a guard (Mike Conley or Kyle Lowry) and a big (Joakim Noah or Al Horofrd) with your second and third picks. Baby Smiles will tie it all together.

Dan Feldman: Draymond Green (a.k.a About To Get Paid This Summer*) is worth a max contract next summer, and I’d like the Pistons to give him one. Of course, there’s a chance it’d blow up in their face. Green is not a sure thing. But the Pistons probably can’t lure a sure-thing max player. Green is a superb and versatile defender, solid offensive player and burst of contagious energy. Because he is so young, has a track record of improving and is a free agent the year before the cap skyrockets, I’d take a chance on him. Unfortunately, it’s probably moot. I can’t see the Warriors failing to match.

*Patrick and Pardeep both, independently as far as I know, gave Green nicknames. So, I felt obliged to join in, even though their nicknames are better.