If you are a fan of the Detroit Pistons, there are plenty of reasons to hate the Los Angeles Lakers and you should, as it is your birthright. But that doesn’t mean the Pistons shouldn’t target them in an NBA Draft day trade.
The Detroit Pistons will have four picks entering the NBA Draft, including the overall number one pick, which they will almost certainly use to draft Cade Cunningham, who looks like the next superstar in the NBA.
The final three picks are all in the second round, and even though Troy Weaver has shown an eye for undervalued talent, finding impact NBA players in the second round is no easy task.
The Pistons could try to use some of those picks and other assets to move into the first round and get a player who has a chance to make the roster.
They could do this by targeting a team like Oklahoma City, who might want a young player like Sekou Doumbouya or future picks, or they could target a veteran team who doesn’t need or want a draft pick and would rather have a proven veteran to make a playoff run.
The Los Angeles Lakers fall into the second category.
The Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers are a good match for a NBA Draft day trade
The Pistons are coming off a 20-win season that was a masterclass in tanking. Though they are expected to be better next season, they are likely still a season or two from making serious contention for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Pistons have a couple of veterans on short-term deals who may not fit that timeline and could be offered up in trade for a late first round pick.
The Lakers, on the other hand, have two superstars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis who are trying to win titles now. Adding a draft pick isn’t going to move the needle for them, and they’d prefer getting a proven veteran who can help them right away.
They have the 22nd pick in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft, which makes them a good trade target for the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit Pistons: NBA Draft day trade with the Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are likely to lose Dennis Schroder in free agency, as he is reportedly seeking a deal in the $100-120 million range. Good luck with that Dennis!
Sorry, but Schroder is not that guy and the Lakers aren’t in a position to offer that much, so they could go after someone who replaces most of his production at a fraction of the cost.
This would require the Pistons to pick up Joseph’s team option, which is just over $12.5 million, which would be a fairly steep price to pay for the Lakers, which is why they are getting two second-round picks as well.
Joseph is no star, but he did average 12 points and 5.5 assists per game for the Pistons this season while showing an improved 3-point shot, which isn’t far off Schroder’s 15.4 points and 5.8 assists, especially considering Schroder was playing more minutes, had a bigger role and shot a lower percentage from long-range.
Jospeh would not only be cheaper for one season, but the Lakers would not be taking on any long-term money and would still have two 2nd-round picks to either use or try to package in another trade.
The Detroit Pistons move up in the draft and get the 22nd pick, which they could use to take a shooter to add to their young core.
Detroit Pistons: NBA Draft trade with the Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers will undoubtedly be looking for veterans on cheap contracts that can make an impact, which is why this second trade makes even more sense.
In this trade, the Lakers get a good bench player in Josh Jackson, a guy who can defend multiple spots and get you buckets off the bench or in the starting lineup. He is long and athletic and would be a nice addition to what the Lakers already have.
Jackson is also cheap, making just over $5 million next season, so the Lakers would still be able to make additional moves. As long as the Lakers have LeBron and Davis, they are going to be looking to for low-cost role players who can contribute.
The Detroit Pistons get the same pick as in the first trade, and would only be giving up one of their second rounders, as well as Jackson, who might be redundant if they re-sign Hamidou Diallo.
There are certainly other teams the Pistons could target to move into the first round, but the Lakers make a lot of sense given their respective needs.
I’d be loathe to help the hated Lakers, but if the Pistons could pick up another first-round pick it would be worth it to have a short affair with the enemy.