Latest NBA Draft rumors: Possible trade partners for the Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons have been mentioned in myriad 2022 NBA Draft rumors with the big day less than a week away.
The Pistons own the 5th pick and have a lot of options, including the obvious one of just taking the best player, but there are also scenarios where they could try to trade up for a guy like Jaden Ivey or even try to trade back and reap extra assets.
NBA insider Marc Stein (SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED) dropped some new intel in his recent newsletter, with teams that could be of interest to the Detroit Pistons in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Some of the important nuggets were that the Washington Wizards were looking to trade the #10 pick for a proven point guard, Portland and New Orleans were willing to trade for “win now compensation” and that Memphis might try use their two picks in the first round (#22 and #29) to move up.
Related Story. This top prospect wants to come to Detroit. light
Let’s start with the two that have the least chance of involving the Detroit Pistons.
NBA Draft rumors: Detroit Pistons
Washington Wizards
The Wizards have been mentioned as a potential trade partner with the Detroit Pistons, but it only seems likely if Detroit acquired a second pick and was willing to move back to get the Wizards #10 pick and an additional asset.
If the Wizards are looking to use this pick to get a proven point guard, then it is hard to see the Pistons getting involved because they don’t have one.
It’s possible the Pistons could get involved if there is a third team (one that does have a point guard) but it seems like a long shot, though the Pistons would love to get their hands on that pick and take a big man like Jalen Duren or Mark Williams.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are the team Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons are hoping to emulate, as they have built a deep home-grown roster around a star point guard.
But it’s hard to see them as trade partners in this scenario, as the Grizzlies’ two picks aren’t enough to get into the conversation of moving into the top-5 of the 2022 NBA Draft.
If the Pistons were to acquire a second pick later in the first round, then it is possible that they would look to trade back for an additional pick, but it’s a long shot with too many moving parts.