Considering an Anthony Tolliver trade
We’ll be taking a look at each player under contract with the Pistons next season and uselessly discussing the merits of trading or keeping each individual. Because what else are we supposed to talk about right now?
Anthony Tolliver
To trade: Anthony Tolliver provided a nice and somewhat surprising spark for the Pistons when they acquired him mid-season, but he’s also in kind of a weird spot on this roster. The Pistons will find themselves in need of a starting power forward, and considering Stan Van Gundy’s success with stretch big men and the Pistons’ need for more shooting in general, it’s likely they would look for a starting caliber big who can knock down the three. Tolliver is a fine reserve, but if the Pistons add a stretch four to the starting lineup, do they need someone who duplicates those skills off the bench? They might be able to flip Tolliver and his reasonable expiring contract for a veteran bench player that helps at another position.
Not to trade: Arguably Van Gundy’s greatest success this season has been restoring some semblance of sanity to the locker room by bringing in guys known for professionalism. That was no easy task considering the levels of unhappiness players under previous coaches experienced in recent years, and players like Tolliver were key in the new dynamic. Tolliver is a replaceable player, but he also found a niche here, has a skill (shooting) the team lacks, plays hard and gave us one of the most terrifying/awesome screen captures of the year. He reminded me a lot of the types of veteran players Joe Dumars brought in pre-championship — players who were older, who no one would confuse with stars or even starters, but who laid a great foundation with their defensive commitment, work ethic, etc. (Chucky Atkins, Jon Barry, Damon Jones, Cliff Robinson, Don Reid, Bob Sura, the list goes on). Tolliver fills a roll, plays hard, seems well-liked and has a reasonable contract. Why mess with it?
Make it happen: Propose a plausible (i.e. fair or at least reasonable) for both sides using ESPN’s Trade Machine and publish it in the comments.
Pistons get:
- Jared Dudley
Bucks get:
- Anthony Tolliver
Rationale: The Bucks save a little bit of money since Dudley makes more in the final year of his deal, plus clear out space on their crowded wing that includes Khris Middleton, O.J. Mayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo and a returning Jabari Parker. The Pistons add a wing who, like Tolliver, has a reputation as a good locker room player and who knocks down 39 percent of his 3-pointers. Plus, adding Dudley gives them depth if they decide not to guarantee the final year of Caron Butler’s contract.
Your turn: Give me your best Tolliver trade, or make your impassioned plea to never consider trading him.