The Detroit Pistons have been all over the rumor mill after getting the number one pick in the NBA Draft.
Zach Lowe suggested they might trade the first pick, but that’s not happening, especially when there is a talent like Cade Cunningham available.
In previous years, trading back from the number one pick might have made sense, but Cunningham has the chance to be a superstar, so you don’t pass that up.
The Pistons won’t be trading the first pick to the Warriors or anyone else, but they might like to get another first-round pick to go with him in an NBA Draft class that is very talented and deep. The Pistons already have an exciting young core of Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart but could add even more young star power to it with the right trade.
The Golden State Warriors have the 7th and 14th picks in the first round and are in the opposite position, as they want to win now while Stephen Curry is still playing at an MVP level. With Klay Thompson returning, the Warriors will be looking to reload and to get back into title contention right away.
These teams are on different timelines and may be able to help each other reach their respective goals.
Here is a trade with the Warriors that the Detroit Pistons would at least consider.
Detroit Pistons: NBA Draft trade with the Golden State Warriors
In this trade, the Warriors get a proven veteran who is still in his prime who brings defense, 3-point shooting and shot making.
The Detroit Pistons get last year’s #2 pick, a guy they were reportedly high on, plus the number seven pick in a loaded draft.
This might seem like a lot for the Warriors to give up for a fringe All-Star, but the Detroit Pistons love Jerami Grant (so do I) and aren’t going to trade him unless it’s an offer too good to pass up.
But would either team actually do it?
Detroit Pistons: Trading Jerami Grant to the Golden State Warriors
The Warriors would do this trade because it instantly gives them one of the best staring fives in the NBA with Curry, Thompson, Wiggins, Grant and Draymond Green.
Remember the “lineup of death” that the Warriors used to terrorize the league and win 73 games? This one might be even better.
This lineup would not only be a dynamic and powerful offense but the defense would also be elite, with four players who can switch all over the court and guard just about anyone.
They’d have four shooters, be athletic, long and adding Grant would keep their title window open for at least a few more years.
They would also still have a trade chip in Wiggins, so could possibly add another All-Star caliber player, though Wiggins was pretty good this season and is now probably a bit underrated.
The Warriors don’t need Wiseman and they certainly don’t need another draft pick, so they could get their guy without giving up a crucial asset and would still have a lottery pick to work with.
It makes a lot of sense for the Warriors, who don’t want to waste another MVP caliber year from Curry.
Detroit Pistons: Trading Jerami Grant to the Golden State Warriors
This one would be tough, as Grant is the team leader and a guy the Pistons absolutely love. He chose to come to Detroit, wants to be there and is a great veteran to lead this young team.
But this is a chance to build a potential super-team of guys who are all the same age and would give the Detroit Pistons the best young core in the NBA BY FAR.
Let’s say they were to take someone like James Bouknight with the 7th pick, the Detroit Pistons could run out a starting lineup and bench that was absolutely loaded with talent.
- PG- Killian Hayes
- SG- Cade Cunningham
- SF-Saddiq Bey
- PF-Isaiah Stewart
- C-James Wiseman
They’d potentially have James Bouknight, Josh Jackson, Hamidou Diallo, Frank Jackson, Sekou Doumbouya and Mason Plumlee coming off the bench, a group that offers all types of flexibility and options for coach Dwane Casey.
The Pistons would be one of the longest teams in the NBA, have shooting, defense and still have a decent mixture of veterans and youth.
I’m pretty sure this team could compete for the playoffs right away and within a few years they’d be chasing rings.
The Detroit Pistons don’t want to trade Jerami Grant, and I do not buy into all the “timeline” stuff, as teams like the Suns have shown you need a mixture of experience and youth, but this is a chance to build something that could be special for the foreseeable future.
The Detroit Pistons aren’t going to move Grant just to do it, so it will take a huge offer like this to get it done. I would hate to see him leave but this roster would definitely make it easier to move on.