NBA Draft Rumors: Trade with Hornets could net Pistons extra picks
Detroit Pistons: Possible trade for Gordon Hayward
First off, I should say that Hayward is still a good player when he’s not hurt. He can make plays, hit shots from all over and would undoubtedly improve the Pistons’ woeful 3-point shooting.
But if the Pistons are going to take on that entire contract without sending one back (giving the Hornets maximum cap relief), then it should cost Charlotte both of their picks.
It seems unlikely that the Hornets would move both of their picks just to clear cap space, but there has to be motivation for a team to take on over $60 million of an oft-injured and 32-year-old Hayward.
It’s possible Detroit would settle for just one of the picks, but if they were able to pry away both, could potentially flip them for a higher pick with a team that might want to move back.
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The Pistons would send out Cory Joseph to offset a small amount of Hayward’s salary, but this would still leave the Hornets space to go after another player and re-sign Bridges if they are willing to go into the luxury tax.
There have been conflicting reports about the Hornets and Bridges, including ones that say they are “hesitant” to match any max deal. That may leave the Pistons inclined to just make an offer to Bridges instead, who is younger and doesn’t have Hayward’s injury concerns.
I am not sure one pick at the end of the lottery is enough to take on Hayward, so this deal probably wouldn’t appeal to the Detroit Pistons unless they were getting additional assets.