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Three sensible Detroit Pistons trades for No. 1 pick in NBA Draft

By Stuart London

Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cade Cunningham (2). Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cade Cunningham (2). Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Christian Wood Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets center Christian Wood (35) .Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Isn’t he good, Christian Wood? The Prodigal Son returns to Detroit Pistons

You can feel for the Houston Rockets. They were hoping for a run to the NBA finals last year and the team completely fell apart once James Harden asked to be traded. They had the worst record in the NBA  at 17-55. The Pistons leap-frogged them, as the Rockets pick second.

In the wreckage, Houston has some good players: John Wall, ex-Piston Christian Wood, Kevin Porter Jr., Jae’Sean Tate and Eric Gordon. They were actually a .500 team team until ripped by injuries.

But the Rockets need more help than that to be a decent team. Houston owner Tilman Ferttita is not interested in a long rebuild. His businesses got hit hard by the pandemic, and he needs people to fill the Toyota Center right now.

What player would instantly create interest in the Rockets and get the phones ringing in the tickets office? Did we mention Cade Cunningham is from Texas? (Dallas area but close enough).

So, under pressure from the owner, Houston GM Rafael Stone sends Troy Weaver this proposal, which is so overwhelming, the Pistons accept.

Remember, the Pistons are only moving back One Spot. If Weaver has evaluated that Evan Mobley and/or Jalen Green are on the same level as Cunningham, this deal is a no-brainer.

Weaver would normally ask for Porter Jr. (son of a former Pistons player), an athletic 20-year-old who can score and has lots of potential. However, with his emphasis on character, Weaver likes Boy Scouts. So far, Porter has not been one.

Related Story. Detroit Pistons: Should the Pistons take a risk on Kevin Porter Jr.?. light

Instead, Jae’Sean Tate, a 25-year-old hard-working, high character player who made All-Rookie, is in the trade.

Christian Wood proved his late season performance for Detroit in the 2019-20 season was no fluke. He averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds for Houston in an injury-plagued season. At 6-11 and slender, Wood and Isaiah ‘Beef Stew’ Stewart would make a fun center-power forward combo.

Importantly, Detroit gets it own first-round pick back, lost to Houston in the Saddiq Bey trade. You know that is big to Weaver.

Is Houston giving up a ton to go from No. 2 to No. 1? Yes, but if you want Cade Cunningham, you will overpay.