Which trade could the Detroit Pistons benefit from the most?

Dealing for DLo

This has been a popular one among the Pistons fan base, and among Piston Powered writers. It’s one that I’ve opened up to, seeing it as a viable option.

The Russell-for-Drummond trade was something that our Sean McFadden wrote about last month. It’s an intriguing option that could benefit the Pistons this season but also provide them a win-now duo of D’Angelo Russell and Griffin.

However, Russell thrives as a ball-dominant guard. In his first All-Star season last year, he had a career-high 31.9 usage rate. But it came with great playmaking and ball security, with a 41.3 assist rate and 13.6 turnover rate.

Clearly McFadden is infatuated with Russell and wants the Ohio State Buckeye in the Motor City. This three-team trade is one that works outside of the popular video game, too. It’s, if nothing else, a solid base to start a three-team deal.

There would likely need to be a few moving pieces to entice the Grizzlies with future assets. The cap space is nice but they’d probably like a shot at a young piece like Khyri Thomas, Mykhailiuk, Maker or somebody else.

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As McFadden details in his previous story on a Russell-for-Drummond trade, the Warriors lack a legitimate center presence. They signed Willie Cauley-Stein but Drummond would be an upgrade and give them needed frontcourt depth.

It would also give them someone who can go toe-to-toe with Anthony Davis, Rudy Gobert and Nikola Jokic with the Lakers, Jazz and Nuggets as title favorites. Acquiring him in a trade would also allow them to retain his bird rights and sign him to a max contract with an extra year and for more money, if the situation called for that.

Once Klay Thompson returns, Russell becomes expendable since it will be hard for those two to share the floor with Stephen Curry. But they could try to make it happen.

Jonas Valanciunas is another former Casey player that began to blossom under his teachings. The 7-foot, 265-pound center is a big target in the post, strong rebounder and a reason for teams to not attack the paint.

But he also developed a 3-point shot under Casey, hitting at a 35.7 percent rate for his career. His attempts are hardly enough to make a considerate threat, but it’s enough to force opponents to defend him on a pick-and-pop instead of just rolling to the basket each time.

Thanks to everyone that participated in this fun conversation. Which trade would you want to see the Pistons do to improve the roster, whether for now or in the future?