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Three possible trade scenarios for the Detroit Pistons

By Duncan Smith

Feb 6, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) dribbles the ball as Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) defends at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) dribbles the ball as Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) defends at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) looks for an opening past Philadelphia 76ers forward Jerami Grant (39) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 113-103. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) looks for an opening past Philadelphia 76ers forward Jerami Grant (39) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 113-103. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Trade scenario no. 2: Phoenix Suns send power forward Markieff Morris and point guard Ronnie Price to the Pistons in exchange for Brandon Jennings, Joel Anthony and Spencer Dinwiddie. 

This trade scenario works as well according to the ESPN trade machine. That said, no no no no no. No. The last thing the Pistons need is to bring the other Morris twin to town. Marcus Morris has been a delightful surprise for the Pistons, and it’s very possible that part of the reason for that is that he doesn’t have the distraction and influence of his brother Markieff.

Kieff’s numbers this season are largely irrelevant due to having been benched for swaths of the season and being fairly dedicated to getting his coach, Jeff Hornacek, fired as quickly as possible. Once Hornacek got the boot, of course, Morris flipped the switch back on and he’s been pretty good in the ten days since. Morris is averaging 20.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists on 44.8 percent shooting over that span.

Morris is earning a fairly team-friendly $8 million flat per year through 2018-19.

Ronnie Price and his $947,000 salary and expiring contract are essentially flotsam in this deal, similar to Joel Anthony’s inclusion on the Pistons part. Anthony is due $2.5 million this year and the same next year, and has played 52 minutes in 13 appearances this season. Clearing his contract off the books would be a perk in a deal like this.

While the Pistons would likely win this deal on paper (unless they could see into the future and ensure that Jennings would re-sign in the offseason), this is a young roster and Van Gundy is already familiar with what can happen when you add an unstable element like Morris to a locker room. I like this trade in NBA 2K16, but I don’t like it in the real world.

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