We are over a month into 2022 and the NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, so now is a good time to take stock of the Detroit Pistons.
It has been an up and down season that has seen the young team play well at times, but has also seen some regression and poor play at others.
Jerami Grant is back from injury and is the most likely Piston to be moved at the deadline though the Grant trade rumors have died down in recent days.
It’s unclear if the Norman Powell trade to the Clippers will have any effect on the market, as Portland practically gave him away, which was surprising.
If there is a similar market for Grant, then I hope the Pistons just keep him, as a bunch of retread players and a second-round pick hardly sounds enticing.
The Pistons do have other veteran players who could be moved, so it could be a busy deadline for Troy Weaver, though I wouldn’t be shocked if the Pistons did nothing at all.
So whose value is going up as the trade deadline gets nearer? Whose is going down? Let’s take a look at each guy.
The Detroit Pistons’ bigs
Luka Garza
Garza hasn’t played in a game since mid-January and has spent most of his time with Motor City Cruise. Even with the Pistons lack of big man depth, this is not unexpected, as Garza was a second-round pick who needed plenty of work on his game. I don’t think his absence has really hurt his value, as he is getting the reps he needs and playing well in the G-League.
Stock: Neutral
Trey Lyles
Lyles has been the NBA’s 5th leading bench scorer since December and has given the Pistons quality minutes. He’s averaging a career-high in points, but his minutes are undoubtedly going to go down now that Kelly Olynyk is back. He only played 15 minutes last night and could see his time cut even more.
Stock: Down
Kelly Olynyk
Olynyk has not played well since he has returned, barring the first game back when he scored a season-high 22 points. He struggled mightily in the last three games and has not done much to make himself attractive to potential trade partners, which means he’s probably staying in Detroit, which is fine.
Stock: Down
Isaiah Stewart
Beef Stew has been playing really well of late, notching double doubles in three of his last four games and grabbing 17 boards last night against the Celtics. He’s quietly been the anchor of the Pistons’ defense this season and has been less reluctant to shoot in recent games. He still needs a jumper or to improve as a roller but his progress lately has been noticeable. Now if the Pistons could just get him some help.
Stock: Up