PistonPowered
Fansided

One way Detroit Pistons could land a top pick

By Braden Shackelford

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 15: Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons watches the play from the sidelines against the Charlotte Hornets during the an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on January 15, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Hornets defeated the Pistons 118 -107. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 15: Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons watches the play from the sidelines against the Charlotte Hornets during the an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on January 15, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Hornets defeated the Pistons 118 -107. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Detroit Pistons are devoid of superstar talent and more importantly, in a state of pure mediocrity. With Detroit not being a free agent destination and absent of a high end draft pick, the Pistons could elect to shake things up and trade its best players in exchange for a top pick.

The Detroit Pistons, recent losers to the Brooklyn Nets and struggling to stay in the playoff hunt, is not going to win the NBA championship this year.

That is something I think we can all agree on.

But can they win in the next few years? Maybe, but not likely, not without adding a few key players or significant growth from the incumbent players.

One thing the Pistons could do to acquire a top asset is to trade its own top asset.

In the truest sense, this would be a complete reset, a move I would not condone but one that I think would certainly give the Pistons a usable asset along with what will likely be a top draft asset.

Again, this is not a move I would do, but it does provide the Pistons with a top pick, and it’s a move I couldn’t see the Cavaliers rejecting.

This move would satisfy three objectives for the Pistons:

1. A top NBA draft pick (top-10 to date)
2. More cap space over the next two seasons (difference between Drummond’s contract and Thompson’s) plus a large contract off the books one season sooner.
3. The Pistons own first round draft pick would likely be more valuable considering the win differential without Drummond compared to with him.

On the other hand, the Pistons also lose a player that has made an incredible leap in play this year, who could very well be better than any player the Pistons would net with either of their first round draft picks.

If Stan Van Gundy believes the Pistons are going nowhere, it doesn’t hurt to sell your current assets for future assets and to start thinking about clearing up future cap space.

Next: Detroit Pistons reportedly interested in Kemba Walker

However, Stan Van Gundy doesn’t operate that way, and honestly, this isn’t a trade I would sign off on either.

Home/Pistons News