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Should the Detroit Pistons be looking to make another big trade?

By Braden Shackelford

Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the second quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the second quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Pistons have significantly improved their roster through great trades, solid free agent signings, and good drafting. Most of the improvement, however, came from trades. With the roster not considered championship caliber, should the Pistons look to make another big splash to their core this season?

The Detroit Pistons’ front office has been spectacular in the trade department during the Stan Van Gundy/Jeff Bower era.

During the dynamic duo’s tenure, the Pistons have acquired Reggie Jackson, Tobias Harris, Reggie Bullock, and Marcus Morris for a handful of second round picks, Brandon Jennings, Ersan Ilyasova, and D.J. Augustin.

Not only did the Pistons acquire better and younger talent in these trades, but they also acquired players on affordable contracts with multiple years left.

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When you’re not a top-notch free agent destination–or a very good team for that matter–these are the types of moves you have to make to get back to relevancy.

The Pistons are relevant again, and more importantly a team on the rise.

But the goal isn’t to be a really good team in professional sports, the goal is to be the best team.

The Pistons might be able to be the best team at some point in the next three to five years. For that to happen a lot would have to go the Pistons’ way. Primarily, they need to stay healthy and grow and develop internally.

That puts the Pistons in a tough spot.

Do they stand pat and hope their coaching and young talent leads to elite play, or do they try to swing for the fences–should the right opportunity present itself–and take quicker approach to getting where they want to be?

For the Pistons to choose the latter, they have to hope the right deal presents itself. Even then, there’s no certainty the chemistry and talent will blossom into a championship team.

The other factor here is that the Pistons are in a much different place then they were when these trades took place. Even when the Pistons acquired Harris, the team was struggling to stay in playoff contention.

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Now, the Pistons are much more talented and they have good chemistry. The expectation is that they are one of the better teams in the East, with a roster that has a chance to be really good.

Making a jump from bad to good is one thing. Making a jump from good to great is a lot more difficult.

To add a really talented and proven player, odds are the Pistons would have to give up one of their core pieces. However, it’s not impossible they could add another core type of player by sacrificing depth to a team willing to tank for lottery position.

What likely happens is the Pistons evaluate their roster at all-star break.

If the Pistons are a top three or four seed team come all-star break, chances are that they would stand pat, or make a smaller scale move.

But if the Pistons are in the sixth, seventh, eighth, or outside of the playoff picture in the East, I would imagine that Stan Van Gundy and Jeff Bower take a hard look at a larger scale move.

Either way, it’s good business to evaluate the market for deals and see what’s out there.

Next: Will the Detroit Pistons have a title window?

My guess is that the Pistons are one of the better teams in the East next season. A big time move would be shocking, as great trade opportunities don’t come around often. After all teams rarely want to give away solid players for little assets in return.

Expect Van Gundy and Bower to keep an eye on the market all season.

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