29 Trades for the Detroit Pistons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
By Cary Gahm
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Warriors Sends: $15,873,906
- Draymond Green – $15,330,435
- Patrick McCaw – $543,471
Detroit Sends: $14,803,319
- Aron Baynes – $6,500,000
- Marcus Morris – $4,625,000
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – $3,678,319
- 2018 First Round Pick
Warriors New Lineup:
C – Z. Pachulia | A. Baynes | A. Varejao
PF – K. Durrant | M. Morris | D. West
SF – M. Morris | A. Iguodala | K. Caldwell-Pope
SG – Klay Thompson | K. Caldwell-Pope
PG – S. Curry | S. Livingston | Ian Clark
Pistons New Lineup:
C – A. Drummond | D. Green | B. Marjanovic
PF – D. Green | J. Leuer | H. Ellenson
SF – T. Harris | R. Bullock | M. Gbinije
SG – S. Johnson | D. Hilliard | P. McCaw
PG – R. Jackson | I. Smith | L. Brown*(R. McCallum)
Why the Warriors do it:
This summer has been special for the Golden State Warriors. After losing a heartbreaking game seven to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA finals, they somehow recovered and shocked the world by signing Kevin Durant. However, to be able to do that, they had to clear some significant cap space and let several key rotation pieces go. All of this has taken its toll on the Warriors depth. If the new Warriors don’t mesh as well as hoped, they could seek to take corrective action. After the infamous groin punch in the playoffs and several scandals this summer, if someone had to go, it might be Draymond Green.
If the Warriors made this move, they would bring in a significant amount of youth and talent to bolster their lineup. Last year, Marcus Morris proved to be a fierce two-way forward who can stretch the floor and score out of the post. He would be an excellent fit in their system replacing the role that Harrison Barnes filled last year.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would give the Warriors a solid shooting, athletic swingman, and another lockdown defender. In a starting role next to Klay Thompson they would have two of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Off the bench, he could play a very similar role to Andre Iguodala, and after Iguodala’s contract comes up next year, he could replace his minutes and production long term. This transition could further extend the Warriors championship window.
Lastly, Aron Baynes would do an excellent job filling the void left by the departure of his fellow Australian countryman Andrew Bogut. Add in a future first round pick to help a cash-strapped Golden State team add depth down the road, and this deal could pay dividends for years to come.
Why the Pistons do it:
The Pistons get a true freak of nature. They bring the former Michigan State standout home, and they pair up his sweet stroke, vicious tenacity, and championship leadership with a team who is ready to run. What the Pistons lose in depth they will make up for in versatility and heart.
Green will be able to step in at any position and give the Pistons a boost. If needed, his ability to play the center position will also help mitigate Drummonds free throw issues late in games, and his ability to hit the three-ball and stretch the floor will turbo-charge Drummond’s effectiveness inside when playing alongside him. Although trading Morris, Caldwell-Pope and Baynes is a lot, to have the opportunity to bring in a truly unique talent would be hard to pass up.
With Green’s unique talents and leadership, in addition to a budding “three and D” prospect like Patrick McCaw, this move could single handedly push the Pistons into a race for supremacy of the Eastern Conference.
Potential Trade Outlook: Good Shot
Next: Houston Rockets