The Detroit Pistons will have a number of personnel decisions to make this offseason, including what to do with Josh Jackson.
Jackson will be entering the final year of a team-friendly contract that will pay him just over $5 million, so there is a solid argument for keeping him as a low-cost contributor.
But there is also an argument that he is more valuable to the Pistons as a trade asset, as they are still a rebuilding team and need draft capital more than they need one more year of Jackson, who could flee for greener pastures at the end of next season after rebuilding his value in Detroit.
Jackson averaged 13.4 points this season, highest of his career, but did so inefficiently and with terrible 3-point shooting. Trading him now ensures you don’t miss out on the value he has built but also risks missing out on any future development since he is only 24-years-old.
It’s a tough call, so let’s look at the pros and cons of trading Josh Jackson this offseason.
Detroit Pistons: Josh Jackson creates competition
Pro: If the Pistons re-sign Hamidou Diallo in the offseason as is expected, there will be some competition for minutes off the bench.
Both Diallo and Jackson are similar players in that they are athletic, have good size, can defend but can’t shoot. Of the two, Diallo has shown more potential to develop a 3-point shot, so there may not be reason to keep them both.
Trading Jackson now opens the door for Diallo to possibly be the starting shooting guard depending on what happens in the draft. If not, he will take over the role as the number one guard off the bench.
Con: Dwane Casey has proven this year that competition is good. Diallo has not done enough to just be handed a role, so making him compete with Jackson for minutes should inspire both of them to get better.
Also, are we sure they can’t play together? The Pistons are trying to build their team around defense, so having two long, athletic defenders is not a bad thing. If one of them starts hitting shots then the Pistons will have two guys who fit the mold of what they are building.
Competition is good and trading Jackson now eliminates some of that competition.
Detroit Pistons: Should the Pistons sell high on Josh Jackson?
Pro: Trading Jackson now after his best season as a professional, while he is still on a low-cost contract, may be the best way for the Pistons to get maximum value.
Jackson had some big games for Detroit and given that he is only making $5 million next season, some team might cough up a fair package to acquire him knowing that they will get a full season at that cost.
If the Pistons wait until the trade deadline, the other team won’t give up as much as they’d only be getting a half season of Jackson.
Con: Are we sure this would be “selling high” on Jackson? Yes, he did have a bounce-back season, but he still has some huge flaws, including being one of the worst volume 3-point shooters in the league and being a turnover machine.
Jackson is stil only 24, so with another full offseason might be able to improve in these two areas, and if he does, his value will be much higher at the deadline next season. If Jackson can prove to be a reliable 3-point shooter, he is going to get paid, as he is already a good defender.
Waiting to trade him would be a small risk, but it could pay off big time if Jackson improves and looks like a guy who could help a playoff contender at next year’s deadline.
Detroit Pistons: Would trading Josh Jackson now help the salary cap?
Pro: If the Detroit Pistons were able to trade Josh Jackson this offseason without taking a contract back, they could open up some much-needed cap space.
They could potentially use this cap space for an upgrade, especially if there is a restricted free agent that they would like to steal.
Con: Trading Jackson is not going to create much cap space, so the Pistons would probably have to make additional moves to clear enough money to sign an impact free agent.
Also, Jackson is on a team-friendly contract, and it is unlikely they are going to find a guy who contributes as much as he does and makes similar or less money. Like I said, it only makes sense if the Pistons were making additional moves that cleared some more space.
Otherwise, Jackson is one of the better value contracts in the league and the Detroit Pistons probably aren’t going to find a better player at that price.
There are some reasons to trade Josh Jackson this offseason, but creating competition and taking a risk he’ll get better are reasons to keep him.