Taking a look at Detroit Pistons trade value

The Detroit Pistons are in a year of transition and are poised to make deals. But what does that look like? Here’s a trade primer.

The Detroit Pistons are in a position to make some moves with a roster stocked with younger players and veterans.

“Change is coming,” wrote Rod Beard, Detroit News Pistons beat writer, in a column this week. “It just might not be the sweeping change that some desire — and maybe not as swiftly as they want. The reality of the NBA trade market and the value placed on some of the Pistons’ top players don’t match up in a way that’ll make it a rapid rebuild.”

With moves on the horizon, it’s possible the Pistons could make several trades this season, potentially franchise-altering. Detroit will likely be sellers as the deadline nears, especially given the injuries that have plagued the roster. Let’s first take a look at Langston Galloway.

Galloway is shooting a career-best 40.8% from 3-point range and, as a result, his true shooting percentage is 60.3%, which is an increase from his career-best last season with 53.4%. He’s arguably been the Pistons most consistent player this season.

Given that the Utah Jazz gave up a pair of second-round picks and Dante Exum for Jordan Clarkson, who is shooting 37.1% from 3-point range. Granted, Clarkson offers other areas to help Utah’s needs, the Pistons should be able to get a comparable deal for Galloway.

The Philadelphia 76ers desperately need 3-point shooting, though it was pretty solid against the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas. They could be a potential suitor for Galloway.

There are a number of teams – the Lakers, Spurs, Magic, and Nuggets – that are league average or below in 3-point shooting that could use a lift from Galloway. The Sixers and Pacers are both top 6 in 3-point shoot percentage but take 30-or-fewer attempts per game, and Galloway could help them.

Here’s a quick glance at Pistons expiring contracts that could draw interest.

Reggie Jackson ($18.1 million) – Most importantly is Jackson’s health. That will drive his trade value. The Pistons best-case scenario may be providing cap relief for a team and get a draft asset with that, or use Jackson in a trade up for a star as salary filler.

Tim Frazier ($1.6 million) – Frazier may get extended run with Luke Kennard out the next two weeks, which could boost Frazier’s trade value. But any move would be minor.

Tony Snell ($11.4 million) – Snell is a solid two-way player that doesn’t need a lot of shots to make an impact. He also has a player option worth $12.2 million next season and his bird rights are attached. He’s another guy that could be a part of a bigger trade or could net an asset as a standalone trade candidate.

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk ($1.6 million) – Mykhailiuk is vastly improved as a shooter, converting 43% of 3-point attempts. Dwane Casey has spoken highly of him in the past so it seems unlikely the Pistons would trade him.

Markieff Morris ($3.2 million) – Morris bet on himself in free agency needing to rebuild his value and he’s done that, hitting a career-high 41.1% from 3-point range. He could net a second round pick or better with a player option for next season.

Christian Wood ($1.6 million) – It seems unlikely that Wood would be traded given how he’s performed and the Pistons are using him as a rotational player, spot starter and working on him improving. He’s one of the few assets Detroit should consider keeping because his value to the team is likely higher than what they could fetch in a trade.

Thon Maker ($3.6 million) – Maker seems to be making incremental improvements on the defensive end. His best value is he’s shooting a career-best 40% from 3-point range. A team could take a flier on the former No. 10 pick, but he’s likely salary filler or used as part of a three-team trade, similar to the Stanley Johnson trade last season.