Could the Detroit Pistons nab the Boston Celtics’ top pick?
We’ve discussed in length that the Detroit Pistons need to add top-shelf talent. The Boston Celtics have what could likely be the top pick in this year’s draft. Is there a deal here?
The Detroit Pistons are watching the playoffs from home. The Boston Celtics are not. The difference? They have a guy playing out of his mind right now in Isiah Thomas. In fact, all of the remaining playoff teams have a player that could be considered top-shelf.
That’s one of the reasons the Pistons are sitting out of the playoffs. It is, however, the main reason why they can’t seriously contend for the title.
With the Pistons needing an opportunity to acquire a top player, and the Celtics needing another talent that is ready to take their team to the next level, is there a deal between the two teams that could satisfy both teams?
Let’s get the ground work laid out first. The Celtics weren’t willing to trade their top pick for Paul George, though that is a bit misleading considering George would likely have been a rental. That said, the caliber of player involved needs to meet similar criteria.
With that out of the way, here’s the what I came up with.
As you can see, this trade is just ok for the Celtics. When you add Boston’s first round pick, this trade becomes highly unlikely.
On the one hand, the Celtics get the best two players in the trade in Andre Drummond and Tobias Harris. But the Celtics also lose the best defenders in the trade, AND give up their first round pick. Not to mention, Smart and Bradley still have good upside.
That said, ESPN did project that this trade netted the Celtics an extra eight wins, while the Pistons got six more losses.
The other trade that might be a bit better for the Celtics looks like this:
In this deal, the Celtics gain their franchise center to pair with Isiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Al Horford, and Jaylen Brown. They also only give up Tyler Zeller and Amir Johnson, along with their first round pick.
According to ESPN trade machine, this nets the Celtics extra five wins per season.
Depending on how far the Celtics go this post season, I think either trade could work, though I don’t think either is likely.
It is an interesting thought nonetheless, as the best players in the draft are point guards–not a need for the Celtics. However, the Celtics could use a center like Drummond to take their team to the next level.
Next: Pistons have interest in Zach Collins
What do you think Pistons’ fans? I would do either trade in a heart beat, though if I got to pick, I would elect to do the second trade, keeping Harris in Detroit.