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Here’s who the Detroit Pistons could target with the unofficial opening of the trade market

By Aaron Ferguson

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 20: Ed Stefanski senior adviser talks to the media at Little Caesars Arena on June 20, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 20: Ed Stefanski senior adviser talks to the media at Little Caesars Arena on June 20, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons
DETROIT, MI – JUNE 20: Ed Stefanski senior adviser talks to the media at Little Caesars Arena on June 20, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

With Dec. 15 being the unofficial opening of the trade market, here are four deals the Detroit Pistons could pursue.

The Detroit Pistons are in a transitional year with a roster that is set to rebuild or make a playoff push, and Dec. 15 is the first eligible date newly-signed free agents can be traded.

For the Pistons, that means Derrick Rose, Tim Frazier and Markieff Morris. Rose and Morris may help a contending team this season, especially the way the duo is getting acclimated to their bench roles.

But the Pistons have suddenly won five of their last seven games to improve to 11-15 and a half-game behind the Magic for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Owner Tom Gores wants the Pistons to compete for the playoffs so it seems likely that any trades would be to bolster the team.

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Trading Blake Griffin seems unlikely since he’s still owed $36.6 million in 2020-21 with a player option worth $38.96 million in 2021-22, according to Sportrac. He doesn’t appear to be in good health after limping at halftime of a 115-107 win in Houston on Saturday. He’s played in 13 games since he made his season debut on Nov. 12, only sitting the back half of a back-to-back twice.

Andre Drummond could be dealt before the deadline since its likely he opts out of the final year of his contract to test free agency. But what would the market for Drummond be?

Most playoff teams have a center in place. Potential free agent suitors like the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets, who reportedly have interest, could just wait until this summer to sign him. Even if the Pistons were to trade Drummond, it likely wouldn’t be until closer to the deadline.

Sunday marks an important date in the NBA as trade season essentially opens up. The likes of Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler and Malcolm Brogdon aren’t going to be dealt but here is a full list of players that are eligible.

Here are four trades the Pistons could make for newly-eligible players that they could make to help them out.

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