Detroit Pistons: Breaking down a potential Bradley Beal trade
Making the contention push
Detroit is going for it and wants to force Tommy Sheppard’s hand to move Beal, ultimately giving the Pistons a big three and a team to contend with.
If the guys at Wiz of Awes were in Sheppard’s shoes, they’d do this deal in a heartbeat.
The Pistons are mortgaging the future for a shot to win in, at least, a two-year window.
A lineup of Bruce Brown, Beal, Snell, Griffin and Drummond gives Detroit a lineup to contend with Philadelphia and Milwaukee. Derrick Rose is the team’s sixth man and can be flexed into the lineup late in games based on who has been more consistent.
Mahinmi is an expiring that can provide depth at center that Detroit lacks. His career offensive rating is 108 and his defensive rating is 101. In spurts, he’s a solid two-way center.
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The trick from here is convincing Drummond to opt-in to his 2020-21 contract at $28 million, which would allow him and Beal to hit free agency in 2021. If need be, the Pistons could rebuild through free agency that same year, though Detroit has proven it isn’t a destination spot.
Then again, Beal could accept his contract extension and Drummond could be offered a maximum deal to keep the core intact.
Overall, this thins out the Pistons wings. Brown could slide to the two-guard to give Beal a blow, otherwise it’ll be Sviatoslav Mykhiuliuk and Morris getting some time on the wing.
The front line is incredibly strong and the starting rotation becomes one of the best in basketball. Is it enough to get the Pistons to the Finals? They’d certainly contend and ending with the Larry O’Brien trophy would seal the trade as a win.