Acquiring Andre Iguodala would help the Detroit Pistons take step forward
Exploring potential trades
With the Grizzlies not expected to contend in a well-balanced, deep Western Conference, Iguodala may ask for a buyout to join a contending team. For now, though, Memphis will need a trade partner to move the Springfield, Ill. native.
Perhaps the Pistons can swoop in and get Iguodala. The market price is not known but if he’s trending towards a buyout, it’s possible the Pistons could lure him away at a low cost.
In the first scenario, the Grizzlies are heading towards a buyout but the Pistons offer Reggie Jackson and a 2020 first round pick.
Memphis gets an expiring contract in exchange for one at the same value, giving the Grizzlies an opportunity to make a play for a top-line free agent in 2020. More importantly, they land an unprotected first round pick.
The 2020 NBA Draft is interesting for Memphis. If they don’t land in the one-through-six range, according to RealGM, their pick heads to the Boston Celtics. They can also land Utah’s pick, but only if it lands between eight and 14.
Worst-case scenario, the Grizzlies would guarantee a draft pick. As it stands now, however, they wouldn’t be helping their rebuild if they were to lose their own pick.
Losing the chemistry Jackson, Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond would be a significant hurdle. They have depth at point guard, however, with the additions of Derrick Rose and Tim Frazier. Bruce Brown Jr. cold also slide down from the two-guard to play point.
This deal would require using trade exceptions from the Reggie Bullock and Stanley Johnson trades. Then there’s the question of if Detroit is okay with giving up this many assets.
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Thon Maker is still young and learning the game of basketball. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk is known for his 3-point shooting, hitting 40.9 percent of his 3-point shots at Kansas, so it may be too early to give up on his slow start (32.6 percent from range) in the NBA. Khyri Thomas is still a young player that hasn’t been given a lot of an opportunity.
If the Pistons want to go all-in, than this is worth giving up these particular assets, allowing the Pistons to keep a cohesive core with Jackson, Griffin and Drummond.
Memphis would secure a 2020 first for certain and also have a couple of developmental pieces to choose from, in hopes one of them would be able to help them long term.
If the Pistons are able to get a deal done, how much would this help during the regular season and would they be able to win a playoff series? The what if’s will be debated for now.
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