How the Detroit Pistons messed up the Derrick Rose era

The Detroit Pistons finally traded Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks for a G-League player and a 2nd-round draft pick.

The Pistons took a chance on Dennis Smith Jr., who was once considered a blue-chip prospect. Hopefully, Smith Jr. will follow the path of Jerami Grant and Josh Jackson to find a second life in Detroit.

Trading Derrick Rose was definitely on the Pistons’ trade deadline wishlist, as they wanted to free up some more minutes for their young guys and Rose was not part of the long-term plans for a rebuilding team.

The question is why he was part of the plans for this season to begin with.

Rose had revitalized his career in Detroit, averaging 18.1 points per game off the bench for the Pistons and had made himself into a trade asset.

There is a strong argument that the Pistons should have traded him sooner.

Detroit Pistons: Why did the Pistons wait to trade Rose?

The Detroit Pistons took a calculated risk when they signed Derrick Rose to a team-friendly deal. I liked the signing at the time (even though I am not a fan of Rose) as it seemed like a move that could pay off down the road.

If Rose was good, you flip him to a contender for an asset or two which is a good way to add draft picks without taking on much long-term risk or money.

It looked like the move had paid off, as Rose was great off the Pistons’ bench, got some votes for 6th Man of the Year and drew attention from plenty of teams.

The Pistons should have struck then.

A contending team that needed bench scoring almost certainly would have given up a first-round pick if they were getting a guaranteed season and a half from Rose on a value contract.

Instead, the Pistons held onto Rose for some reason, either in a misguided attempt to win or because they thought he might get more at this trade deadline.

Neither makes sense, as the Pistons had little chance to be good this season and Rose’s value is less because teams are only getting half a season.

Add that to the fact that Rose hasn’t played well and you end up with Dennis Smith Jr. and Charlotte’s 2nd-round pick.

The Pistons were never likely to get a massive haul for Rose, but if they had timed the trade correctly they could have gotten more.

The Derrick Rose era in Detroit is over and the Pistons are left with a project player and a low-value pick. If DSJ ends up revitalizing his career in Detroit, then this could end up working out but if not, it’s likely the Pistons missed a chance to sell high on Derrick Rose.