Detroit Pistons: Trade or keep? Shooting guards
Rodney McGruder: Trade
It’s not likely that McGruder will be traded but he is not part of the Pistons’ long-term plans, so if his contract is needed to make a trade work, they would gladly include him. McGruder has put together a few good games in a row but is still probably not viewed as much more than roster filler.
Josh Jackson: Keep
Josh Jackson was a great low-risk signing for Troy Weaver and finally looks to have his career back on track. At the very least, Jackson is a guy who has proven he can be a high-energy defender off the bench, a guy with good size who can guard multiple spots.
He still can’t shoot from long-range but has been aggressive getting to the rim and can be a first scoring option off the bench.
Jackson is a guy worth keeping to see if he can ever reach the ceiling the Suns saw when they drafted him fourth overall. He is also a on a lowball contract that would be easy to move in the future, so why not play things out to see what he can be?
Svi Mykhailiuk: Trade
Coming into the season, Svi Mykhailiuk was a guy the Detroit Pistons thought could be part of the young core moving forward but he has been largely disappointing so far.
Mykhailiuk’s 3-point percentage has dipped into the “below average” range, which is not good for a guy who doesn’t do much else. He could easily end up being a 40 percent high-volume 3-point shooter at some point but if Troy Weaver could get a second-round pick for him at the deadline, he’d probably do it, as Svi is not one of his picks and Weaver might think he can do better.
Wayne Ellington: Trade
Of all of the Pistons on this list, Ellington is the most likely be moved, as he is on the final year of his deal, not part of the long-term plans and provides a skill just about every contender is looking for, which is 3-point shooting.
Ellington has shot over 41 recent on high volume, so someone will definitely offer up at least a second-round pick for his services. Teams like the 76ers and Celtics could come calling and Weaver will answer the phone.