The Detroit Pistons will likely be busy at the trade deadline, as they have a number of veterans that might help the right contender, including Wayne Ellington.
The Pistons signed Ellington has filler but the 33-year-old has been one of the better shooters in the NBA, hitting over 41 percent on six attempts per game, which puts him in an elite group when it comes to shooters.
He’s cooled off as of late, so the Pistons probably missed their chance to sell high on Ellington when he was leading the league in shooting.
But let’s not get it twisted, Ellington was never going to get a big haul in return, so the pipe dream of getting a first-round pick was just that, a dream.
But they can probably get a project player and/or a second-round pick, which is not a bad haul for a guy who was not even part of the rotation when the season started.
Here are five teams who might want Wayne Ellington.
Detroit Pistons: Trading Wayne Ellington to a contender
The only teams that are going to want a 33-year-old on an expiring contract are contenders who feel they need more depth and shooting for a playoff run.
I identified five teams who fit in that category, as all five are trying to win now and find themselves middle-of-the-pack or lower in 3-point percentage as a team.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have been riddled with injuries and largely disappointing this season, currently in the 6th seed in the awful East after coming into the season with title aspirations.
They are 13th in the league in 3-point shooting and would love to add some more depth.
Philadelphia 76ers
Philly is another team that could use an influx of shooting from behind the arc, as they are just 16th in the NBA overall. They’ve been rumored to be after a veteran guard, so they make sense for Ellington.
They really just need guys who stand at the 3-point line and create space for their two young stars, which Ellington can do.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have to be one of the surprise teams in the NBA, as no one expected them to be in the thick of the playoff hunt, especially after so many injuries and games missed due to COVID.
Ellington is the type of player that would fit in on the Spurs, who are just 18th overall in 3-point percentage in the NBA.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs are probably the most disappointing team in the entire NBA, though they have been coming around as of late and are now back in the playoff picture in the West.
Their 3-point shooting has been terrible, just 22nd overall, so they would love to add a veteran who can knock them down.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are 25th overall in 3-point shooting and may not care, as the same was true last season and they won a title.
But if they could add a guy who can hit them without giving much up, I am sure they’d be interested in improving their overall shooting and depth.
The Detroit Pistons will probably trade Wayne Ellington soon, and we’ll be back tomorrow with more specific ideas of what they could get.