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The Detroit Pistons have acquired Zhaire Smith from the Sixers

By Nicolas Henkel

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 15: Zhaire Smith #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the preseason game at the Wells Fargo Center on October 15, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Pistons 106-86. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 15: Zhaire Smith #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the preseason game at the Wells Fargo Center on October 15, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Pistons 106-86. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Pistons make yet another trade, this time for another young asset.

In what has been one of the busier weeks possibly in franchise history, the Detroit Pistons have made another trade. This time, they take a flier (both literally and figuratively) on Sixers guard Zhaire Smith.

In a one-for-one deal, the Pistons send over Tony Bradley, a center who was acquired on draft night from the Utah Jazz. Given the influx of big mean that Detroit had acquired over the last several days, it comes as no surprise that he was moved.

What’s relatively shocking is that the Sixers sold so low on Smith, although they may not have had much choice. The former first round pick has been unable to make his presence felt at the next level due to a seemingly never ending set of circumstances.

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The first being a broken foot that he suffered in 2018. The second, came just a month later when he had an allergic reaction that nearly ended his life. It debilitated his body and he struggled for months to recover from it.

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Then, when he was finally healthy enough to return, there were a few too many players in front of him in the rotation. Smith has spent a majority of his NBA career playing in Delaware for the Sixers G-League affiliate.

In 28 games last season he averaged 13.5 points on 52.0 percent shooting (37.6 percent from three-point range). He shot up the draft boards coming into the league based on his intriguing offensive upside, his high flying dunking ability, and his tenacious defense.

So for the fans that take one look at his NBA stats and inevitably become skeptical; be patient. Smith is still adjusting to the league, and Detroit is the perfect place for him to do it.

The Pistons didn’t have much depth at shooting guard as it was, considering everyone that could conceivably play there is more or less a combo player and could likely thrive elsewhere, Smith is a legitimate shooting guard who could very likely play with the second unit.

This is a virtually zero cost pickup for a Detroit team that’s trying to accumulate as many young prospects as they can. If it works, that’s for the best. If it doesn’t, there was never a massive investment made anyway.

However, Pistons fans should be rooting for him to succeed.

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