Detroit Pistons’ NBA trade deadline primer: Will there be moves?

The NBA trade deadline is tomorrow and so far, all has been quiet for the Detroit Pistons.

Most of the rumors have swirled around Jerami Grant, who is the Pistons’ most obvious trade asset as a veteran player on a short deal who is versatile enough to help a lot of teams.

There hasn’t been much smoke around any of the other Pistons, though one of their veteran players could certainly be moved in a small deal or as salary filler in a big one.

Heading into tomorrow, it’s still unclear if the Detroit Pistons are going to do anything, as they will be content to just keep Grant if the right offer isn’t there, which might not be the worst thing.

Here is what has happened so far, as well as how it affects Detroit and I’ll try to answer the big question.

What has happened at the NBA trade deadline so far?

There have been three big moves so far at the 2022 NBA trade deadline and all of them could have some effect on the Detroit Pistons.

Norman Powell traded to the Clippers

The Clippers started things off by trading three bad players and a worthless pick for Powell and Robert Covington, which was a big win for the Clippers and a confusing move from Portland, who is clearly trying to shed money.

I thought the Powell deal hurt the Jerami Grant market, as they are similarly valued players and Powell was dealt for next to nothing. However, keep an eye on Portland (more on that later).

CJ McCollum traded to the Pelicans

The Trail Blazers then dealt veteran guard CJ McCollum to the Pelicans in exchange for Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, salary filler and two picks.

I thought this was a pretty good deal for both teams, as the Pels got their third piece to eventually go with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram and Portland got the salary cap relief they are looking for, a good player in Hart, a high-upside guy in NAW and some draft assets.

It also opened up a big trade exception and ton of future cap space for Portland, who is now clearly building around Damian Lillard and young Anfernee Simons.

Domantas Sabonis dealt to the Kings

In what was the strangest trade so far, the Kings sent second-year point guard and Pistons’ fans obsession Tyrese Haliburton, guard Buddy Hield and center Tristan Thompson to the Kings in exchange for Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday and a 2023 second-round pick.

I don’t know if either of these teams got better and I was shocked to see Haliburton dealt instead of Fox, but it’s the Kangz, so what do you expect?

All three of these deals could have an effect on the Detroit Pistons.