Best trade each rumored team can offer the Detroit Pistons for Andre Drummond

Pistons future outlook

It’s hard to picture life after Drummond in Detroit. But it’s starting to become more real given the likelihood he is traded by Feb. 6. Given the potential trades ahead, here’s how the Pistons would shape up for the remainder of the season and, potentially, down the line.

Hawks trade

Huerter figures to be an integral part of the Pistons rebuild, giving them additional shooting on the wing alongside Kennard and Snell. Adding to the frontcourt with Len and Fernando allows Blake Griffin time to rest and recover from whatever is ailing him this season. It also gives Fernando developmental time through experiential learning.

Kennard has played well in a starting role but Huerter may be better off in a starting role, allowing Kennard to become a lethal Sixth Man off the bench and to allow the pairing with Derrick Rose to take off.

Mavericks trade

Powell opens up the floor for the Pistons as a more-athletic center that is quicker than what Drummond provides. He also spaces the floor better and will still provide Detroit a two-way player for several years on an affordable contract. Brunson figures to project for life after Reggie Jackson, Rose and Tim Frazier. He’s capable of starting but may be best in a reserve role.

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Lee adds depth to the wing and a healthy expiring contract to address a need in the offseason. Adding one of Jackson, Roby or Broekoff is another young asset that Casey and his staff can get to work on developing and molding to play alongside Doumbouya, Kennard and Co.

Raptors trade

Adding Boucher to the fold would clear up development time for Christian Wood. It would also mean more time for Thon Maker to give one last opportunity to show how he can improve before Detroit moves on from him. But Boucher is also a piece that could leapfrog either as a strong defensive presence.

Gasol would seemingly be a one-and-done player. While the Pistons could compete if Griffin were to get healthy and have an All-NBA-caliber season in 2020-21, Gasol would need to be re-signed and will be 35 before January expires. VanVleet may be the ultimate prize if the Pistons sign him as a restricted free agent.

Celtics trade

It’s hard to know what Hayward’s medical situation would be moving forward. When he plays, he plays very well but he’s been sidelined by two injuries this season and had the catastrophic injury in 2017-18. If he and Griffin were to both get healthy, the Pistons could simply re-load and make a run in 2020-21 with Kanter being a factor and adding another player with a likely additional lottery pick (from Memphis).

It’s hard to say what the asking price for Drummond would be. The reality is all four of these deals may be a little on the heavy side for a potential return. Alas, if a bidding war ensues these are all possibilities. The closer it gets to the trade deadline in the first week of February, the better off the Pistons will be in maximizing a return.