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Four trades that make sense for Detroit Pistons

By Braden Shackelford

Mar 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) passes in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Target Center. The Los Angeles Clippers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 99-79. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) passes in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Target Center. The Los Angeles Clippers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 99-79. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) looks to get the ball past Philadelphia 76ers guard Ish Smith (1) during the fourth quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics won the game 120-105. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) looks to get the ball past Philadelphia 76ers guard Ish Smith (1) during the fourth quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics won the game 120-105. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

Marcus Smart and R.J. Hunter for Jodie Meeks and a protected 2018 first round pick. (See ESPN trade machine for details).

The Pistons get Marcus Smart who can be a big asset on the second unit and a developmental piece in R.J. Hunter. It’s likely that the Pistons would consider parting ways with Hunter at some point down the line due to their depth at shooting guard (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Darrun Hilliard, Michael Gbinije, and Stanley Johnson who will see some time there).

For the Celtics, they get a player in Jodie Meeks who when healthy could be a big help offensively to their bench. The key words here is “when healthy”. If Meeks struggles with health issues again, he would have an expiring contract the following season creating even more cap space for Boston.

The big piece for the Celtics in this trade is the protected first rounder they gain which is just another asset for them to dangle in front of teams as they look for a super star to trade for.

What’s nice about this trade for the Pistons is the bargain deal they would get on Smart’s contract. Not only is Smart a young two-way player, but he’s got enough potential to be a starter down the road.

Should Smart work out in Detroit, he’d be a restricted free agent when his contract expires, giving the Pistons matching rights in free agency.

Giving up a first round pick would be tough for the Pistons who proved just this offseason that there is value no matter where your picking in the draft. (Even the Spurs who picked 29th overall found themselves a player with high upside in this year’s draft in Dejounte Murray).

This could be a mutually beneficial trade for both sides as they look to strengthen different areas of their team.

Next: Brandon Knight

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