Detroit Pistons: Is a trade for Klay Thompson possible?

Could the Detroit Pistons swing a trade for Klay Thompson? They potentially have enough fire power, but whether or not he’s available is the key component.

Many Detroit Pistons‘ fans are probably speculating on what Golden State Warriors’ guard Klay Thompson would do for their team.

It’s a thought that I myself have entertained as soon as the trade rumors for the Warriors’ guard started swirling.

The Detroit Pistons have one clear-cut weakness on their roster–a consistent go-to scorer.

That weakness will be masked for the most part when Reggie Jackson returns, but adding one of the best two-way players in the NBA in Klay Thompson could propel the Pistons to even greater heights.

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Of course, to acquire a player like Thompson, the Pistons would have to surrender assets and depth–something that could ultimately limit their potential this season and set them back to square one.

Then again, replacing role players is much easier to do then replacing superstars–just ask Oklahoma City.

Before we dive into anything let’s make one thing clear–Klay Thompson is not as available as you’ve been hearing. In fact, it would be utterly shocking if Thompson was dealt.

The rumors were amplified by Brian Scalabrine, who was merely speculating from something he read from an uncredible source.

That said, I doubt Marcus Morris or Tobias Harris are being actively shopped. That doesn’t mean that the Pistons wouldn’t entertain a trade for either player if it made them a better team both short and long-term.

So the question is, do the Pistons have the assets to entice Golden State to change their mind?

With that in mind, is there a trade that the Pistons’ would be willing to execute?

I could throw together some trade scenarios, but I think Dan Jenkins of CBS Sports did a tremendous job with one of his scenarios, one that I could see as beneficial for both sides, all of which were approved by ESPN’s trade machine.

Scenario 1: Golden State receives Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Stanley Johnson, Aron Baynes and a protected 1st round pick. Detroit receives Klay Thompson.

I think Golden State would entertain this–in fact, I think they would accept this offer.

The Pistons would get an all-star at 26 years old who is signed through 2019 at $17.5 million a year–less than what Kentavious Caldwell-Pope projects to make on the open market this offseason.

The Warriors would get an up-and-coming two way player in Caldwell-Pope who would be a restricted free agent in the offseason. They’d also get some interior help for at least one season in Baynes who will likely opt out of his contract in the offseason and a team friendly rookie contract in Stanley Johnson who could be a heck of a player some day–and a future first round pick.

There’s a lot to like on the Warriors side of things, but having to pay Caldwell-Pope in the offseason might outweigh the season trial with Baynes and a nice rookie deal with Stanley Johnson–even with a first round pick thrown in.

On the Pistons side of things, they might not want to mortgage their future–even for an all-star like Thompson.

If I’m the Pistons, I would probably execute this deal, but there’s enough potential in the players I’d be losing in Caldwell-Pope and Johnson to make me feel comfortable about staying pat.

Scenario 2: Golden State receives Marcus Morris, Aron Baynes, Reggie Bullock and two unprotected first round picks. Detroit receives Klay Thompson.

Scenario 3: Golden State receives Tobias Harris and two unprotected first round picks. Detroit receives Klay Thompson.

I only mention these other two since these were scenarios highlighted in the article on CBS Sports, but I doubt either would seriously be considered by the Warriors.

To summarize, the Pistons could likely get the Warriors thinking with scenario one, but would this ever be offered?

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I’m a fan of it, but I doubt it, and then there’s still the fact that the Warriors would have to be willing to listen to trade pitches, which at this point might not happen.

What do you guys think?

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