Should the Pistons make a run at Kristaps Porzingis?

With Kristaps Porzingis potentially on the block, the Detroit Pistons should be making the call to Phil Jackson to see if they can work out a deal.

As a critical draft night for the Detroit Pistons approaches, rumors are running wild.  Seemingly half of the NBA is rumored to be available in one deal or another and, according to Ric Bucher, the Pistons are looking to make a big splash tonight.

One of the players rumored to be available in the last couple of days is Knicks young star center Kristaps Porzingis.  One idea, floated by Jesse Blanchard of BBallBreakdown, is for the Pistons to offer Andre Drummond for Porzingis and Joakim Noah.

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There are obvious downsides to this deal for the Pistons.  Drummond is still only 23 years old and has a legitimate argument of being the best rebounder in the world.  His flaws are real and well-documented, but at only 23, he still has a lot of time to improve on his weaknesses.

The other clear downfall of this trade idea is Joakim Noah’s contract.  Noah is still owed more than $55 million over the next three years and is clearly not the same player that he was during his time in Chicago.

The reality, though, is that the Pistons’ cap situation is a mess for the foreseeable future.  Noah’s contract wouldn’t help things, but the Pistons don’t have a clear path to cap space until the contracts of Reggie Jackson, Tobias Harris, and Drummond expire.  So, taking on a big contract like Noah doesn’t hurt Detroit as much as it would many other teams.

The upside of Kristaps Porzingis makes all of the downsides to this trade idea moot.  If you can get the clear best asset in a deal, you do it.  Porzingis is two years younger than Drummond and is already better.  He’s a terrific defender who protects the rim in a way that Drummond has just not figured out how to do yet.

Offensively, Porzingis has a diverse skill set, including the ability to step behind the three point line and knock down shots.  That outside shooting would be invaluable to the Pistons, who are one of the worst shooting teams in the league.

Next: Detroit Pistons could trade Andre Drummond

It may take more than Drummond and taking on Noah’s contract to get Porzingis.  Perhaps the Pistons would need to include the #12 pick to persuade Phil Jackson to pull the trigger.  If the Pistons can find a reasonable deal to obtain Porzingis, they should not hesitate.  Obtaining a young potential star like Porzingis is exactly what the Pistons need to jump start the franchise after a disappointing 2016-17 season.