Trade for a starting point guard
If trading Jackson likely won’t yield a starting point guard in return, is there another Piston who could net a new floor general?
The obvious answer is Drummond.
The 25 year old glass-eating specialist has a player option for the 2020-21 season, given the relative weakness of the 2020 class of free agents he could seek a big payday. If this is true, then Detroit should look to move their big man before he hits free agency.
Drummond’s youth and rebounding expertise will certainly make him an attractive trade target, and at least one potential suitor is evidently clear.
Enter the Golden State Warriors.
In a surprising free agency twist, Golden State executed a sign-and-trade for 23 year old point guard D’Angelo Russell, adding him to an already-crowded backcourt on a four-year, $117,325,500 contract. Although Warriors General Manager Bob Myers has vehemently denied it, one can assume Golden State will look to trade Russell at some point during this season. What would they want in return?
One position Golden State has been unable to address over the past several years – granted, they haven’t necessarily needed to – is center. Drummond would be an upgrade, filling out a menacing frontcourt of him and Draymond Green. Combine these two with the Splash Brothers backcourt, and suddenly the Warriors look like a team that could do serious damage in the Western Conference.
Not only would Golden State address a position of need in a trade built around Drummond and Russell, but Detroit would also get its coveted point guard. The Pistons could pair the All-Star guard with Blake Griffin, making for an intriguing lineup. Additionally, Russell is young and his youth fits the timeline of the rest of the young core, giving Detroit a chance to build around him.
To be sure, this move would involve significant risk. Many are still skeptical of Russell as a top option and are wary of taking on such a large contract. However, on paper a Golden State-Detroit trade makes sense for both teams.
Although other deals will likely present themselves throughout the course of the season, this trade is one possible route Detroit could take to upgrade at point guard.