Detroit Pistons: 5 Andre Drummond trades
The Timberwolves are in a really odd spot since Jimmy Butler practically burned down the state of Minnesota with one of the most bizarre offseason sagas of all-time last summer that resulted in his trade to Philadelphia for Robert Covington and Dario Saric. This came after a season earlier the Timberwolves traded Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn, and Zach LaVine for Jimmy.
After paying Andrew Wiggins an insane five-year, $147.7 million contract, the Timberwolves are in a real tough spot as Karl-Anthony Towns’ prime is slowly going away. This means the Timberwolves have to make a deal to maximize their current window with Towns. While at first this trade might not make sense as it seems that Minnesota is getting another center but due to Towns’ skills, he should be moved to power forward. Towns averaged 24.4 points and 12.4 rebounds while shooting an elite 40 percent from three this season.
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While giving up one of the best 3-and-D players and nicest contracts in league will not feel good, getting rid of Gorgui Dieng’s brutal contract with $16- and $17 million-dollar seasons left this cap relief will help the bad cap situation brewing in Minnesota. A starting lineup of Jeff Teague, Josh Okogie, Wiggins, Towns and Drummond would do a lot of damage in the absolutely loaded Western Conference.
Having two 7-footers in your frontcourt screams rebounds and dunks so at least it will be fun to watch if it doesn’t equal wins. The first-round pick that would be lottery protected wouldn’t be a big problem to get rid of as the Timberwolves would almost guaranteed make the playoffs. Making Wiggins be a third option would maybe help his terrible shot selection and limit his volume of shots.
How the Pistons change
Adding Covington to the Pistons would make the Pistons be much better and would cancel out Drummond’s loss. Gorgui Dieng would be an alright center if he just was there to catch lobs and grab rebounds, that wouldn’t be horrible. A starting lineup of Jackson, Kennard, Covington, Morris and Griffin, or Jackson, Kennard, Covington, Griffin and Dieng wouldn’t be that bad.
Covington would improve both ends of the Pistons game due to his elite defense and great offense. Covington’s career averages of 12.7 points, 1.7 steals, 5.5 rebounds, and 36 percent three-point percentage, are all excellent and would be extremely welcome on the Pistons.
Similar to the Rockets’ picks, adding another pick and giving another opportunity to get a solid player to add to the rebuild that’s been coming for a very long time. Although I’d advise against it, Dieng’s contract would be a nice salary matcher to bring in another solid piece to try and reach the second round of the playoffs for the first time in quite a long time.