The Detroit Pistons find themselves in a good spot heading into this year’s trade deadline.
They are losing games competitively, but with an easy second-half schedule, may want to jettison a few of their veterans to ensure they don’t win too many games and foil their chances at a top pick.
Luckily, the Pistons have several veterans that could actually bring something in return, including combo guard Delon Wright.
Unluckily, Wright is currently out with a strained groin and probably won’t return for at least another week or two.
But he should be back in time to play a few games before the March 25th trade deadline, and there are several teams that could use his services.
Here are three possible trade destinations for Delon Wright as well as a guess at what the Detroit Pistons could get in return.
Detroit Pistons: Trading Delon Wright to the Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are better than expected this season and are currently in the thick of the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference.
That’s not saying much, as you don’t even need a winning record to crack the top-four in the awful East, so just about everyone except Detroit, Cleveland and Washington probably thinks they have a chance.
But the Bulls are trying to sell improvement to budding superstar Zach LaVine who only has one year left on his contract after this one and might want to flee for greener pastures if the Bulls don’t start winning soon.
They could use a veteran guard behind their talented starting backcourt and Wright would slot into either spot behind LaVine or Coby White.
What could the Pistons get in return? The Bulls are unlikely to give up a first-round pick for Wright but they could send back expiring contract Denzel Valentine and a couple of 2nd-round picks, which wouldn’t be a terrible return for a guy who looked like roster filler at the beginning of the season.
Detroit Pistons: Trading Delon Wright to the Clippers
According to Marc Spears, the Clippers are reportedly looking for a veteran guard to add at the deadline.
Delon Wright would certainly add to their bench depth, as the Clippers are currently running out former Piston Reggie Jackson for 20 minutes a night and might view Wright as an upgrade.
But Jackson isn’t playing that poorly, so that may be a lateral move for the Clippers and not one for which they would give up an asset in a trade.
To be honest, I really don’t see the fit here unless the Detroit Pistons were interested in a future 2nd-round pick, which would likely not be near the top of the round.
The Clippers don’t really have the contract to send back, though could probably get it done with some combination of Patrick Patterson and the aforementioned Jackson.
I don’t think Delon Wright moves the needle much for them either way but if they were willing to throw in a pick along with those two contracts, the Pistons would probably consider it before saying no.
Detroit Pistons: Trading Delon Wright to the 76ers
This is a rumor that was starting to gain traction before Wright went down with injury and is probably the destination that makes the most sense.
The 76ers could definitely use an upgrade at backup shooting guard and have the right combination of draft picks and/or young players to send back.
This is a team that the Pistons could possibly get a 1st-round pick out of by sending back a 2nd-rounder in return, specifically the one they have coming from Toronto, though that pick is losing value every time the Raptors win.
Considering that Philly’s pick is going to be late in the first round, there wouldn’t be a huge gap between the two and Philly might see it as a way to add low-cost depth without giving up much in return.
Given the way that Troy Weaver has drafted so far, getting him another pick in the first round is a no-brainer for the Detroit Pistons if they can make it happen.
Delon Wright needs to come back and prove he is healthy or he is probably not going anywhere, but if he does there will be teams picking up the phone.