The No. 8 pick obviously has trade value.
How much exactly? That’s much tougher to say.
In an effort to determine the value of the Pistons’ first-round pick, we’re answering whether we’d deal it for several hypothetical packages.
The idea is not to determine how likely these trades are to happen or whether the other team would make them, though we’re shooting for ideas that are at least vaguely plausible. The idea is to get a better sense of how much the No. 8 pick is actually worth.
Would you trade the No. 8 pick…
to the Rockets for Terrence Jones?
Brady Fredericksen: Yes. Contrary to popular belief, athletic power forwards who can shoot the ball and play good defense are hard to come by. Jones is in an awkward spot in Houston with Donatas Motiejūnas thriving as a starter after Jones was injured earlier this season. He’d be a perfect all-around fit next to Andre Drummond.
Dan Feldman: Yes. I’m a big Jones fan, and he has the shooting and defensive chops to fit well with Andre Drummond. I’d be happy if the Pistons draft someone equally as productive as Jones. A new pick is locked into a small contract for longer, but obviously, a new pick is no sure thing. I’d take the proven player in Jones and deal with the contract setbacks.
Braden Shackelford: No way. I like upside of the all the prospects likely available for the Pistons at eight more than Jones. Worst case, the Pistons end up with Myles Turner in the draft.
to the Blazers for Nicolas Batum?
Brady Fredericksen: Reluctantly, yes. I’m not a huge fan of Batum, and his complete collapse this season was mind boggling. He just didn’t look like the player people loved earlier in his career. I don’t think he’s getting any better, but will a draft pick ever be better?
Dan Feldman: No. Batum had a major down year, and that concerns me. More concerning: He’ll become a free agent in 2016. I’m not trading the No. 8 pick for a player who might not be that good next season and could leave after.
Braden Shackelford: Hang up the phone.
to the Warriors for Harrison Barnes?
Brady Fredericksen: Yes. I was bullish on Barnes earlier in his career when fans advocated trading Greg Monroe for him. I think Barnes has gotten a lot better, and he’s gone from looking like the next Jeff Green to a very savvy wing who does a bit of everything.
Dan Feldman: No. I initially typed “yes” before revising. Ultimately, I just have too much faith in Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry and the Warriors’ many other good players. I’m just not convinced enough he’s as good as he looks in Golden State.
Braden Shackelford: Hang up – but first ask what Golden State’s breaking point is on Draymond Green this offseason.
the Celtics for Kelly Olynyk and the No. 16 pick?
Brady Fredericksen: No. I’m not huge on Olynyk, though his shooting and skill as a passer and ball handler is intriguing next to Andre Drummond. I do like the idea of getting the Celtics’ pick along with him, though.
Dan Feldman: No. Olynyk fits style-wise next to Drummond. I just don’t think Olynyk is good enough to justify trading that far down – to a range outside the top tiers.
Braden Shackelford: No.
to the Celtics for James Young and the No. 16 pick?
Brady Fredericksen: No. I don’t like Young at all. I think he’s potentially J.R. Smith and I think I’d rather gamble on Justise Winslow falling to me at No. 8 than take a good athlete-iffy player in Young. But, like the Olynyk hypothetical, the pick helps a lot.
Dan Feldman: No. I’m a Young fan, and I might prefer this package to the No. 8 pick. But if the Celtics are willing to make this deal, it signals something about their faith in Young. A big part of his appeal is his youth, which also makes him more of an unknown. If the team that knows him best is willing to trade him, that’s a sign.
Braden Shackelford: No. Even if the two Celtics trades were combined, the answer would still be no.
to the Pelicans for Ryan Anderson?
Brady Fredericksen: Yes. I don’t think Anderson is a perfect player by any means, but his shooting is exactly what the Pistons need a power forward. Drummond will need to improve as a defender to make up for Anderson’s cement shoes, but he would be a welcome addition to the Pistons’ limited pick and pop options.
Dan Feldman: No. Anderson has a good history with Stan Van Gundy, and he’d fit well next to Drummond. But he’s coming off a down season, and though I think he’ll bounce back, I’m not confident enough to swap the No. 8 pick for him. I’d rather roll the dice with someone on a cheap contract for the next four years than face a dilemma with Anderson in 2016 – pay him big after he rebounds or deal with him after he continues to play below his career norms.
Braden Shackelford: This would be the opposite equivalent of asking for Anthony Davis for the eighth pick.
to the Suns for Markieff Morris?
Brady Fredericksen: Yes. Say what you will about Morris as a person, but there are few stretch fours who have the type of athleticism and offensive versatility. There’s a small, weird part of me that worries about his production without his brother, Marcus, though.
Dan Feldman: Yes. Morris quietly had a breakout season for the Suns. He’s really good and locked into an affordable long-term contract. He might be a goon, and he and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would have to make peace. But I would deal with the potential headaches to get him.
Braden Shackelford: No. Morris and Van Gundy don’t even like each other. For that matter, neither does Caldwell-Pope and Morris. Also, Morris blamed the fans last season for one of the worst scoring halves in NBA history.
to the Bulls for Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott?
Brady Fredericksen: No. I really like the idea of this, but Gibson isn’t as young as some of these other names, and he’s not as “stretchy” as Stan Van Gundy has preferred his forwards in recent years. His grit and intensity would be SO welcomed, though. McBuckets is a throw in; maybe a consolation to not being able to pick him last year?
Dan Feldman: Yes. Gibson’s shooting range doesn’t extend beyond the arc, and I’m not high on McDermott. But this is too much value to pass up. Gibson will make less than $9 million each of the next two seasons, an affordable deal that would give the Pistons flexibility to upgrade elsewhere. Plus, there’s always a chance I’m wrong about McDermott. A coach who believes in him – Van Gundy, desperate for shooting, might have no choice – could do wonders.
Braden Shackelford: I wouldn’t consider this trade. I like the player the Pistons could have (Kristaps Porzingis, Stanley Johnson, Mario Hezonja) at eight more than Gibson and McDermott.
to the Nets for Mason Plumlee and Markel Brown?
Brady Fredericksen: No. I like both guys, but Plumlee didn’t improve at all in his sophomore season. He’s a center, like Drummond, and he doesn’t really have the skills necessary to play power forward with another athletic but offensively limited big.
Dan Feldman: No. I don’t know what happened to Plumlee, who followed a strong rookie season with a spot on the United States World Cup team. He just seemed to lose his place with Lionel Hollins in Brooklyn. I haven’t given up on Plumlee, but considering he wouldn’t fit well with Drummond, another team can figure it out.
Braden Shackelford: Really? No.
to the Clippers for J.J. Redick?
Brady Fredericksen: Yes. I don’t think this would have even been conceivable two months ago, but after the Clippers’ collapse, here we are. He’s much better than Jodie Meeks and his contract-age combo (30 years old; 2 years, $14 million) isn’t bad. There’s also the Stan Van Gundy connection in Orlando.
Dan Feldman: No. I’m a big Redick fan, and he’d provide much-needed shooting and helpful defense. But I’m not convinced he, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope or Jodie Meeks could defend enough small forwards to make this work. If this deal were coupled with a clear plan to balance the wing positions, I’d be more tempted.
Braden Shackelford: No. There isn’t nearly enough value here for the eighth overall pick.
If you have any other trade ideas for No. 8 (and No. 8 only), leave them in the comments. If there are enough good ones, we’ll do another round of these.