Today, sixty collegiate athletes will know what city they will be packing their bags for. But, with so much commotion in the league thus far, look for multiple teams to get in on the action, including Detroit.
Currently, the Detroit Pistons will be selecting 12th in the draft tonight. With a huge crop of talent incoming, it comes with no surprise that teams are interested in inheriting a teams lottery pick via trade.
The Minnesota Timberwolves hold the seventh pick tonight and Detroit has been linked with Minnesota previously in trade rumors. Although, those rumors revolved around Reggie Jackson and Ricky Rubio. Here is this potential deal:
The Timberwolves would be acquiring an all-star caliber Drummond to pair with Karl-Anthony Towns, all the while only dropping down five picks to 12.
For Detroit, this gives them the opportunity to do a multitude of things in the draft tonight.
At seven, players like Malik Monk, Dennis Smith Jr., Lauri Markannen, Jonathan Issac, and Frank Ntilikina could be available. Any of those players would fill a need for Detroit. All in all, Smith Jr. would make the most sense at seven.
Smith Jr. would provide an alternative to injury-plagued Reggie Jackson. He is one of the more underrated prospects in this years draft, with the potential to be a top guard in the league.
Monk would be very possible at seven also, giving Detroit even more leverage with Reggie Jackson. Monk can also play off-ball at the two position, slotting in behind Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
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Ntilikina, another point guard that could be available at seven would also serve as a fix for the Reggie Jackson pandemic. The Pistons could do no wrong in selecting either of this point guards if they were to snag the seventh pick.
Lauri Markannen or Jonathan Issac would be interesting if Detroit wants to go in another direction. Having this much leverage at seven sounds a lot better than selecting at twelve. Shedding Drummond and his max deal would also be beneficial.
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If the Timberwolves are still interested in unloading Ricky Rubio, Detroit could try to swap him with Reggie Jackson inside this trade package. This would let Detroit shed even more cap space, but it is unlikely Minnesota would agree to take on that much salary. A fan can dream though.
Assuming that sweetener would not be added, this draft day trade would still be a positive for Detroit.
Since Aaron Baynes is opting out of the final year of his contract, Detroit is slim at the center position. Jordan HIll and Cole Aldrich would provide momentary depth. This is assuming they would stay on the roster.
Both sides would potentially benefit from this trade, assuming Drummond grows as a player and Detroit hits gold with the pick.
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Anything can happen today and tonight during the draft. Expect there to be a multitude of trades throughout the draft. There could quite possibly be a blockbuster tonight. Will the Pistons be a part of it? Would you pull the trigger on this trade package?