29 Trades for the Detroit Pistons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
By Cary Gahm
BOSTON CELTICS
Celtics Send: $10,178,319
- Avery Bradley – $8,269,663
- R.J. Hunter – $1,200,240
Pistons Send: $9,469,903
- Aron Baynes – $6,500,000
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – $3,678,319
Celtics New Lineup:
C – A. Horford | A. Baynes | Tyler Zeller
PF – A. Johnson | K. Olynyk | J. Jerebko
SF – J. Crowder | G. Green | J. Brown
SG – K. Caldwell-Pope | J. Brown | J. Young
PG – I. Thomas | M. Smart | T. Rozier
Pistons New Lineup:
C – A. Drummond | J. Leuer | B. Marjanovic
PF – M. Morris | J. Leuer | H. Ellenson
SF – T. Harris | S. Johnson | R. Bullock | M. Gbinije
SG – A. Bradley | R.J. Hunter | D. Hilliard
PG – R. Jackson | I. Smith | L. Brown*(R. McCallum)
Why the Celtics do it:
This trade has significant upside for the Boston Celtics, and it immediately improves their rebounding. With Horford, Zeller, Olynyk at the center position, they averaged a combined 14.4 rebounds per game. Adding his 6.3 rebounds per game in only 15 minutes per game average, Aron Baynes will give them more size, strength and rebounding grit.
While Celtics will miss Avery Bradley’s NBA 1st team Defense, they will pick up a lockdown defender in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Caldwell-Pope will bring more versatility to the Celtics, as he is able to play both the shooting guard and small forward position. His durability will also be appreciated in his replacement of the oft-injured Bradley. His versatility, mixed with the departure of both Bradley and Hunter, will create the extra minutes needed for Jaylen Brown’s development. Finally, with only $58 million on the books next year, the Celtics have plenty of cap room to match any offer Caldwell-Pope receives this offseason.
Why the Pistons do it:
The Pistons replace their best defender in Caldwell-Pope, with an even better defender in Avery Bradley. Bradley’s dominant one-on-one defense and sure-fire stroke from downtown will bring the Pistons exactly what they need at the two spot. When you add in his team friendly $16 million deal over the next two years, it looks better and better. On top of that, his injury issues will be greatly mitigated by better minute management made available with the development of Stanley Johnson and the improved shooting of R.J. Hunter.
Potential Trade Outlook: Good Shot
Next: Brooklyn Nets