The Detroit Pistons will likely trade Wayne Ellington before the deadline and there are a number of teams that could be interested, including the 76ers and Celtics.
We identified five teams as possible trade destinations for Ellington based on their status as contenders and their need for additional 3-point shooting and bench depth.
There could certainly be others but it makes sense that he would end up on a contender that finds themselves middle-of-the-pack or lower in 3-point percentage.
The first two teams were profiled were the Mavericks and Lakers, who could both offer some form of project player or 2nd-round pick depending on what the Pistons are looking for in return.
We know the return won’t be that substantial, even if there is a bidding war, but if the Detroit Pistons can get any sort of asset they would have to consider the trade a success.
Detroit Pistons: The 76ers and Celtics need shooting
The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics are two teams that fit the profile of contending teams that would love to add some shooting around their stars.
Neither of these teams is terrible from behind the arc and both have other needs, so it is doubtful they would give up much in return for Ellington, who is 33-years-old and on the final year of his contract.
It’s also possible that these teams might want more than one of the Pistons’ veterans, in which case Ellington could be packed with someone like Delon Wright or Svi Mykhailiuk to get a bigger return for the Pistons.
Detroit could have a much different roster by the second half of the season if this happens, which is something they should consider given their desire to secure the worst overall record and a guaranteed top-five pick.
Here is what each team could offer for Ellington.
Detroit Pistons: Possible Wayne Ellington trade to the 76ers
The 76ers have been involved in plenty of trade rumors and have been mentioned as a possible destination for Delon Wright, so this would be the team most likely to trade for both Pistons’ guards.
They have the late first round pick the Pistons covet and might move off it if the Pistons sent back one of their second-round picks in return. But this trade just looks at what they might get for Ellington by himself.
The Pistons would love to pry Isaiah Joe away but that is unlikely and since they cannot trade for Tony Bradley’s expiring, Vincent Poirier and a second-round pick would probably be the best offer.
If you tacked Delon Wright and the Pistons’ second-round pick from Toronto, then the Pistons might be able to get the 76ers first-round pick in 2021, though another contract would have to be involved.
This is the type of no-ceiling player and pick combo the Detroit Pistons could expect from Philly, as they don’t really have any project players that they would move for Ellington.
What about the Celtics?
Detroit Pistons: Possible Wayne Ellington trade to the Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have a number of promising young players the Detroit Pistons would love to get on their roster but the problem is that they are all too good to trade for Wayne Ellington.
The Pistons might be able to get Carsen Edwards back but they’d probably rather have a second-round pick instead.
In this trade the Celtics bolster their depth and shooting while the Pistons take back an expiring contract of a guy who doesn’t play much and can’t shoot the 3-pointer.
Ellington has cooled off lately but he is still shooting over 41 percent on six attempts per game, which is the type of high-volume accuracy that could help any contender.
The Detroit Pistons are not going to get a haul for Wayne Ellington, in fact, these deals are pretty much the dream scenario for a guy who was signed as roster filler at the beginning of the season.