Detroit Pistons are shopping for a backup point guard
With Brandon Jennings off to the Orlando Magic, the Detroit Pistons are looking to strengthen their backup point guard spot.
The Detroit Pistons were looking to upgrade their starting powerforward spot, and they did that by acquiring Tobias Harris in exchange for Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova.
But with Jennings gone, the backup point guard spot looks a little murky for Detroit as of right now would be relying on Steve Blake and Spencer Dinwiddie.
The Pistons are comfortable with both players, but would prefer to see what else is available.
"“We’ll continue to investigate things and continue to talk to teams and continue discussions that we’ve had in other areas, but having said that, this team has played well at times when Steve Blake has been manning the majority of minutes,” Pistons general manager Jeff Bower said."
Luckily for the Pistons, there are players to be had. One player that the Pistons could get in a trade is former Detroit Piston D.J. Augustin, who the Pistons are reportedly interested in acquiring.
Pro Basketball talk writer Dan Feldman had this to say about the Pistons’ re-acquiring Augustin:
A Blake-for-D.J. Augustin trade could make sense for both sides.
"Blake and Augustin have played at a similar level this season, but Augustin far surpassed it last season while playing with Detroit. If the Pistons – who traded Augustin to the Thunder in last year’s Reggie Jackson deal – believe Augustin would return to form in their system, swapping the point guards would help Detroit. Both are on expiring contracts, so this season would be the priority.The Thunder would stand to save $2,073,838 in luxury-tax payments with the trade. Considering rookie Cameron Payne has supplanted Augustin as Oklahoma City’s second point guard behind Russell Westbrook, the Thunder might prefer the money – especially if they believe Augustin doesn’t fit."
Bringing Augustin back to Detroit would be a solid move–particularly with his familiarity with the Pistons, a team he thrived for last season, but the Pistons aren’t putting all of their eggs in one basket.
The Pistons also have interest in Darren Collison (Sacramento Kings) and Norris Cole (New Orleans Pelicans).
I’d be fine with any of the aforementioned players–though I lean towards Collison, because he’s a more productive player and locked up through next season. All represent a significant upgrade over what’s on the Pistons’ roster has now.
With what Stan Van Gundy has been able to accomplish over the last season in a half (Reggie Jackson and Tobias Harris in trade deadline deals), I suspect he’s not done improving the roster just yet.