Would the Detroit Pistons try to trade for Zion Williamson?

It’s no secret that the Detroit Pistons have had trouble drawing big name free agents in the last decade, mostly because they have stunk, which leaves the Draft and trades as their main ways to get a star.

They already found one in the draft in Cade Cunningham, who is starting to become unstoppable on the offensive end and still isn’t even close to a finished product.

The Pistons also have quality role players in Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart, but would still love to pair Cade with another star, which they hope to get in the 2022 NBA Draft.

I also saw a crazy idea thrown out there recently that would land the Pistons a star via trade.

Before I get into this, I am very familiar with Fletcher’s work, and he is a guy who loves to rock the boat, so please don’t take this Tweet too seriously.

He loves to throw out fake trades (mostly to enrage Pelicans’ fans) and start discussions, so that is all this is. I am not responding to this as a rumor because it’s just a guy spitballing on Twitter.

But it’s an interesting discussion.

Zion Williamson: Superstar with a fragile foot

I should also say that I cover the Pelicans as well as the Pistons, so am WELL AWARE of Zion’s injury history, his foot issues, his overzealous stepfather and camp and the fact that he is due for an extension this offseason that will likely be massive.

But I am also well aware of how good this guy is when he is healthy. He’s as unstoppable offensively as anyone in the NBA, will get you 27 points a night efficiently and changes the ceiling of any team that he is on.

The Pelicans have been playing well without him, and the franchise has had some clashes with his camp over how to handle his injuries, so it is possible they might consider trading him, but I highly doubt it.

Injuries or not, talents like Zion don’t come along often and I think if you are New Orleans you have to roll the dice and keep him to see how this plays out, as there is nothing worse than trading a generational talent and watching him take off on another team.

But would the Detroit Pistons roll the dice on him being the star to pair with Cade Cunningham? The answer is no, but let’s talk about it anyway.

Detroit Pistons: Trade for Zion Williamson

If the New Orleans Pelicans really wanted to trade Zion Williamson (they don’t), there would be a line of teams waiting with their offers even though he hasn’t played at all this season.

Given the weakness of this free-agent class and the fact that there isn’t anyone close to Zion in it, I do think the Pistons would at least consider a move for Zion depending on what it would cost.

Here is a trade that works:

The funny thing about this trade proposal is that Pistons’ fans are going to say it is too much, while Pelicans’ fans are going to say it’s not nearly enough.

In this deal, the Pistons send out two young, up-and-coming players that would fit well on the Pels, as well as their top-3 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft (if they were to get lucky and land one).

The Pelicans send back the polarizing Zion, along with all of his enormous talent and baggage, which the Pistons would only do if he were willing to sign an extension right away.

Again, I DO NOT THINK THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN, but let’s say this was on the table, who says no?

Why the Pelicans aren’t trading Zion Williamson

As I outlined before, trading away a superstar talent is not easy, especially since Zion Williamson hasn’t even played a full season with the Pels yet.

When he’s in there, he’s unstoppable, but the Pelicans do have to have some concerns about his injured foot and whether a player his size who relies so much on explosive athleticism is going to continue to have these problems throughout his career.

But Kevin Durant missed almost a whole season with the same injury and has since won two titles and an MVP. Joel Embiid missed most of his first three seasons with injuries and is now an MVP frontrunner.

Players can overcome injuries and as Zion gets older and learns how to better take care of himself, he could end up being a player in the KD/Embiid tier.

You can’t trade that away for two guys who project as role players and a draft pick.

Why the Pelicans would totally trade Zion Williamson

Killian Hayes and Saddiq Bey may be “role” players but Bey is already a very good one and has the potential to be a fringe All-Star.

These two also fill distinct needs for the Pelicans, who are without a real point guard and could use Bey’s shooting and toughness.

They’d also have a chance to add someone like Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren or Jabari Smith with the pick, which would give them a young, deep and talented squad with enough veterans to contend right away.

Also, keep in mind that the Pelicans are getting the Lakers’ top-10 pick and get to keep their own if it falls into the top-4, so this would give them a chance to have three top-10 picks in this draft, which sets them up with young talent or to make a big trade to replace more of Zion’s production.

I don’t think the Pelicans would be interested in the end, but I think they’d pause for just a second before hanging up the phone.

Why the Detroit Pistons wouldn’t make this trade for Zion Williamson

If the Pistons are going to take a shot at a big name in a trade, it has to be for someone they can pair with Cade Cunningham for the long term.

Are we sure Zion is that guy?

Aside from all of the injury concerns, you have the fact that Zion is a ball-dominant forward who likes to initiate the offense, which would have Cade playing more off the ball.

The other question is whether Zion puts you closer to contention and sustained success than the combination of Bey, Hayes and whoever they would take with a top-3 pick in the draft.

It would be a risky move, as the Pistons like what they are building and this would be a massive disruption to that.

Why the Detroit Pistons absolutely would trade for Zion Williamson

This might sound crazy to some Pistons’ fans, but if you have a chance to get a bonafide superstar talent, another #1 pick to put with Cade Cunningham, you absolutely have to do it, especially since he is still just 21-years-old.

Saddiq Bey is a streaky role player, and while I love him and his future, it’s unlikely he’ll ever make an All-NBA team.

Same with Killian Hayes, who projects as a Marcus Smart type player, valuable, yes, but not a guy you can build around.

As for the draft pick, they are always a crapshoot and the Pistons would be making that pick hoping they got a guy who ended up being as good as Zion Williamson already is.

The Pistons could move Jerami Grant to recoup a 1st-round pick, grab another talent and go to war with a team led by two number one picks.

Imagine a pick-and-roll with Zion and Cade? It doesn’t even matter who is setting the pick here.

If you are Detroit, taking a risk might be the only way to land a guy like Zion outside of blind luck, so they’d be crazy not to go for it.

Again, I don’t think they will, but there’s definitely an argument for it, especially when you look at the two potential lineups.

Detroit Pistons: Which lineup would you rather have?

For the purposes of this, I am going to assume that the Pistons trade Jerami Grant to Portland in exchange for a pick in the 9-12 range in the 2022 NBA Draft, which is where they are projected to be with their lower pick.

Here is a potential lineup without the Zion trade (remember, this assumes a top-3 pick, otherwise this isn’t even a discussion).

• Cade Cunningham
• Bennedict Mathurin
• Saddiq Bey
• Paolo Banchero
• Isaiah Stewart

This is a fun team with a ton of size and talent that has a good balance on the offensive end with four guys who can get you buckets in a variety of ways.

But how about this lineup with Zion?

• Cade Cunningham
• Bennedict Mathurin
• Isaiah Livers
• Zion Williamson
• Isaiah Stewart

This team would also be fun, but to me has a better balance of shooting and inside play and would have enough offense to just allow Beef Stew to focus on defense, rebounding and nothing else.

This is really just fodder for conversation, as it is extremely unlikely to happen, but it is interesting to think about whether the Detroit Pistons would put together a package like this to take a chance on a trade for a flawed superstar,