Detroit Pistons: Looking ahead to potential trade deadline wishlist

The Gallinari Trade

This trade would signal that the Pistons are in playoff contention and want to jump up a tier in the Eastern Conference. Danilo Gallinari is a dynamic scorer on the wing who shot 43 percent from three last year, averaging nearly 20 points per game. While it may be a slight downgrade from Tony Snell on the defensive end, the offensive upside with Gallinari would make the Pistons dangerous on that end of the floor.

Of course injury has been an issue with Gallinari, who had his healthiest season last year since 2012-13 by playing 68 games. This might be the riskiest deal in the short-term because of Gallinari’s health history. The Pistons would also need to consider the price it would take to re-sign him during the offseason, because giving away a first rounder in 2022 for a half-year rental wouldn’t make much sense.

This trade would also put the Pistons about $3 million into the luxury tax this season, which is a price that Tom Gores is willing to pay for the right player.

While Gallinari may be best suited to play power forward, he has played the small forward position in the past. Gallinari and Griffin actually played, and started together for nine games at the beginning of the 2017-18 season before Gallinari suffered a hip injury and Griffin was traded to the Pistons. While nine games is too small of a sample size to gather much information, the fact that Griffin and Gallinari have shared the court before suggests the fit could be managed.