5 trades for Detroit Pistons point guard Derrick Rose
2. Clipp city
It doesn’t get more win-now for the Clippers than this two-year stretch. Rose is owed $7.5 million next season so he fits the Clippers timeline and would provide a spark plug alongside Louis Williams and behind Pat Beverley.
In a potential deal, draft picks take on a bit less of a value given the Clippers will be in the bottom third of the draft. But for the Pistons, it’s another draft asset for a front office that has impressed with their selections.
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Ed Stefanski, Dwane Casey and Pistons scouts selected Sekou Doumbouya 15th overall, Bruce Brown in the second round in 2018, signed Louis King as an undrafted free agent. All have shown potential to be impressionable NBA players with Jordan Bone not playing extended minutes yet and southpaw shooter Deividas Sirvydis finding his rhythm in the EuroCup this season.
Really, the Clippers don’t have much in the way of young assets they’d be willing to give up as a contending team. Landry Shamet will contribute to their title quest, Montrezl Harrell is a prime defender in the frontcourt and is unlikely to be dealt despite an expiring contract and Terance Mann has provided depth with the load management and injury issues.
Enter 22-year-old Jerome Robinson, who was selected 13th overall in 2018 out of Boston College, who has played 11.9 minutes per game this season but has taken a slight step backwards offensively. At 6-4, 190 pounds he has the physical profile to play in the league and could develop under Casey’s tutelage.
Detroit native Derrick Walton could fill in at point guard as Rose’s replacement. At 24, he could fill in until the Pistons have an opportunity to make a splash in the offseason, whether it’s inking Fred VanVleet as a restricted free agent or another move.
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In the interim, Walton’s fit as a 3-point shooter would be valuable in a rotational role. He’s 16 for 37 (43.2%) for his career and has finished around the rim at a 66.7% clip this season. That fits Casey’s shot spectrum.
The last piece would be Mfiondu Kabengele, who is the nephew of Dikembe Mutombo. He is similar to Mutombo in his shot-blocking ability, averaging 2.1 per game in the G League. But Kabengele also hangs on the perimeter as a 37.4% shooter from 3-point range in two seasons at Florida State. But he’s still adjusting to the professional range, converting 26.1% from 3-point range in the G League.