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Evaluating a Detroit Pistons trade with Philadelphia 76ers for Langston Galloway, Luke Kennard

By Aaron Ferguson

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 04: Ish Smith #14 of the Washington Wizards drives against Langston Galloway #9 and Luke Kennard #5 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Capital One Arena on November 4, 2019 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 04: Ish Smith #14 of the Washington Wizards drives against Langston Galloway #9 and Luke Kennard #5 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Capital One Arena on November 4, 2019 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons Luke Kennard. (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

A trade for Kennard

A trade involving Kennard won’t sit well with Pistons fans, and it’ll also cost any team a significant amount of assets. The 23-year-old guard is having his best season yet.

Originally drafted 12th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, Kennard is averaging a career-best 15.8 points, 4.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game in 32.9 minutes per game, also a career-high. That production has been needed for the Pistons and it could be a significant piece in the Pistons rebuild.

If the Pistons were to trade him, they’d need significant assets back and finding a home with a contender would likely require young players added to deal rather than late picks. Though late picks are better than no picks and Philadelphia at least has the Knicks second rounders in 2020 and 2021.

In addition to Smith, Philadelphia may have to include wing Matisse Thybulle, who the Sixers are understandably high on. The rookie was selected 20th overall out of Washington and is 6-5, 200 pounds.

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Thybulle has been significantly better defensively, something the Pistons have not been, with a 3.1 defensive box-plus/minus. He also has a full defensive win share. He’s shooting 44.9% from 3-point range on 69 total attempts entering Saturday. But overall his offensive game could use some help.

Smith is 20 and Thybulle is 22, which would fit with the most-likely Piston to stay in Detroit in Sekou Doumbouya. The Pistons rookie just turned 19 on Dec. 23. If the Pistons were to start a rebuild with a defensive identity and 3-point shooters in Dwane Casey’s system, adding Smith and Thybulle would give them versatility on the wing with Doumbouya.

But is it enough? Even if the Pistons were to get the Thunder’s 2020 first and the two second’s from the Knicks, it may not be. But the Sixers don’t have the power to negotiate if they want to improve their 3-point shooting and make a run at a NBA Finals berth.

Best trade each rumored team can offer for Drummond. dark. Next

We’ll see what the Pistons do ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. But prepare for a long month forward that will significantly impact the Pistons future.

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