Should the Detroit Pistons move the 12th overall pick?

Mar 21, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy coaches against the Brooklyn Nets during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy coaches against the Brooklyn Nets during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Should the Detroit Pistons are reportedly open to moving their first round pick. Should they move it?

The Detroit Pistons are reportedly open to discussing moving their first pick for a”win-now” veteran player.

That is an interesting proposition for a team that can’t take on contracts thanks to their pencil-point thin cap space.

That means that the Pistons would have to be willing to get rid of their first round pick, which will be on a rookie scale for the next four seasons, and a player of Jon Leuer’s caliber or better, in order to receive one player that can improve the team.

Unless the Pistons are just really wanting to clear cap space, and I don’t think the team would give up the pick for cap space, the Pistons would need to net a player that is high caliber.

This reminds me of the trade deadline rumors about Pistons trades.

The Pistons are always “open to discussing” deals. The thing is every other team is too.

Is there more pressure to get a deal done like this? Absolutely, but what team is going to want to give up a high-end player for the 12th pick and whatever not core piece the Pistons can throw at them? Really, only the New York Knicks come to mind, and that’s because I am being mildly sarcastic.

I’m open to moving the pick for a Kristaps Porzingis, or someone else in that stratosphere. I’d even take a Rodney Hood Caliber player (hat tip Shameek Mohile), though given the landscape of the NBA (Golden State and Cleveland running the table for the next couple seasons), I think I’d rather have the 12th pick and a team friendly deal.

Normally, I’d be about moving the pick, but I really like the Pistons options at 12 based on mock drafts.

Now, would that preclude me from negotiating an “if then” deal, that is, if player A isn’t on the board, then I will trade you my pick?

Absolutely not. In fact, that sort of negotiating guarantees that you are getting the best deal, based on your wants.

Next: Pistons open to trading 12th pick

But I would not trade the 12th pick prior to draft night, unless it netted a star, and that is unlikely.