3 questions the Detroit Pistons must answer before making a trade
The Detroit Pistons are in a year of transition and will be fighting an uphill battle. Their moves this season will set up the future.
The Detroit Pistons front office has important decisions to make and those decisions will shape the future of the organization and, ultimately, the legacy of Ed Stefanski.
Dwane Casey has proven he can develop talent, even in his short time in Detroit. He won Coach of the Year and set a franchise record with 59 wins in 2017-18 season before being fired and joining the Pistons.
Luke Kennard and Bruce Brown have notably made strides in Casey’s short time in Detroit. Kennard has seen more minutes and shots, and that volume has impacted his efficiency. Casey envisioned Brown as a point guard and the second-year guard is proving he can make the transition.
analysis. Here's who the Pistons could target in a trade. light
But Saturday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls was crushing. It’s the third against Chicago – a team Detroit swept a season ago – and drops the Pistons to 0-8 against the Bulls, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards. Detroit rides a four-game losing streak into Monday’s game against the 76ers before a third meeting with Washington on Thursday.
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It’s concerning that the Pistons are struggling against teams they’re fighting for a playoff spot with and, frankly, should be ahead of. With a win Monday, Chicago could pull even with Orlando for the eight seed. If the Pistons were to lose to Philadelphia, they’d only be two games behind the eight seed if Chicago wins.
Detroit’s season is hanging in the balance with Blake Griffin not himself, Reggie Jackson playing two games and sitting out with an injury ever since and a West coast trip looming with the turn of the new year.
That trip alone could sink the Pistons out of playoff contention. But they could find themselves back in the hunt with games against Cleveland (three), New Orleans, Washington, Atlanta and Sacramento in a 20-day stretch.
Before a significant move is made in a transitional year, here are three questions Stefanski, Casey and the Pistons brass need to answer.