Grading Dunc’d On’s mock trade involving Detroit Pistons’ Derrick Rose

Let’s evaluate the Derrick Rose mock trade between the Detroit Pistons and the Philadelphia 76ers that the Dunc’d On Basketball Podcast suggested.

On the latest couple of episodes of the Dunc’d On Basketball Podcast, Nate Duncan, Danny Leroux, Kevin Pelton and former Piston Powered editor Dan Feldman each got assigned different teams of which they acted as general managers to simulate the trade deadline.

Everyone stated the intentions of every franchise for the deadline beforehand and acted as they had their teams’ best interests at heart. It was a very fun thought exercise and I totally recommend you give it a listen.

The Pistons were sellers at the trade deadline. At first, as one of the biggest names, they tried to move Andre Drummond but no one was really interested. No team was willing to give assets for a half-year of Drummond and were kind of spooked about the ambiguity of his player option.

Then, the discussion centered around wings. Especially those that the title contenders covet. Those are the potential trades with the most incentive for both sides, so it made sense to address it right away.

And as those teams filled their biggest need — a guy that can shoot and guard a player like LeBron James or Kawhi Leonard — they also emptied their pool of assets. The Philadelphia 76ers, given their size, are not in the market for that kind of player and Derrick Rose was just the best player available they could get to boost their title odds.

They would prefer to add shooting to the team but, given the assets they were willing to give up, there wasn’t anyone that good available. At first, they offered Zhaire Smith, Kyle O’Quinn and a second-round pick for Rose.

At this point, no team was willing to include a first-round pick as the front office inquired around the league. While Rose is on fire right now, defense at the greatest stage is too valuable and title contenders were reluctant to give up much.

The Lakers, who are in need of a point guard, gave up all their assets to get Marcus Morris, a player that can be a part of their closing lineup. That’s a bigger need for them to fill given Morris’s defense and shooting.

The Clippers gave up some assets to get Andre Iguodala, the Celtics didn’t want to include any of their young players and no one else was willing to beat the 76ers’ deal. But the Pistons wouldn’t do it unless another second-rounder was added.

The deal closed with Smith, O’Quinn, the Atlanta Hawks 2020 second-round pick and the New York Knicks 2021 second-round pick coming back to Detroit in exchange for Rose. Keep in mind that those are very high second-round picks. Khyri Thomas is dealt to free up a roster spot for the Pistons.

The 76ers were also Interested in Langston Galloway but the money just didn’t work for them. The Pistons offered to get Mike Scott but the 76ers elected to keep him.