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Five Transactions that Explain the Current Detroit Pistons

By Sean Murphy

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: Luke Kennard smiles with Adam Silver after being the 11th overall selected by the Detroit Pistons at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: Luke Kennard smiles with Adam Silver after being the 11th overall selected by the Detroit Pistons at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons Andre Drummond. (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. The Detroit Pistons trade Andre Drummond to the Cleveland Cavaliers

After seven years as a member of the Detroit Pistons, the Andre Drummond era came to an end at the 2020 trade deadline, as the Pistons moved the big man to the Cleveland Cavaliers for some expiring contracts and a second round pick in 2023.

The trade was received with mixed reactions, as even though the Pistons were getting salary cap relief and a clear direction forward, the return for Drummond was rather little for a player that was seen as the franchise player for seven years. Drummond was drafted by the Pistons in 2013, and was a rebounding force.

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He was a two time all star, and was widely regarded as one of the top big men for years while playing in Detroit. Drummond was looking to cash in this summer, looking to opt out of his contract with Detroit for the hopes of a max contract either in Detroit or elsewhere.

The trade market, however, showed that the true value for Andre Drummond was not perceived to be very high across the league, as the move the Pistons accepted seemed to be one of desperation.

The odds of Drummond picking up his player option in the offseason was not an outcome that they wanted, and found a willing trade partner in Cleveland. This made the Pistons a clear cut bottom tier team in the eastern conference and the NBA as a whole, and gave Detroit the opportunity to pursue a rebuild and a top draft pick.

There is a lot more to define the current state of a team than a few transactions, but I believe these five moves were the most defining of the current Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons have not made all bad moves during the past ten years, and there certainly is a lot of hope going forward, but when looking how the Pistons have failed to win a playoff game in the past twelve years, there is no need to look further than at these five moves.

Here’s to hoping the Pistons have learned their lessons, and that they can make decisions that bring success to Detroit going forward.

Next. The Detroit Pistons could find their 'glue guy' in Louis King. dark

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