The Detroit Pistons traded for veterans Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel from the New York Knicks in exchange for cap space.
It was not a “win now” move by any means, as neither of these guys are All-Star talents, though they both have skills the Pistons need.
Noel brings a veteran rim protector who gives them the shot blocker they lacked, and Burks has shot over 40 percent from 3-point range, which is something Detroit obviously needs after being near the bottom of the league in long-range shooting.
They will likely make the Detroit Pistons better in the short term, though neither are going to move the needle enough to push Detroit into playoff contention, at least not yet.
But even if these two don’t propel the Pistons into the playoffs, they will help the team in several ways.
Detroit Pistons: Alec Burks and Nerlens Noels are placeholders for the rookies
Both Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren are high-ceiling talents who were atop the Pistons’ draft board, so fans should absolutely be excited that both landed in Detroit.
But we can expect some rookie road bumps, especially for Duren, who is only 18-years-old and will be the youngest player in the NBA.
Burks and Noel will allow the Detroit Pistons to not dump huge responsibilities onto their two rookies as they did last season with Cade Cunningham.
The “trial by fire” works for some guys, but it can also crush confidence and actually slow down development when a player is given a burden they are not ready for.
I think both rookies are going to play a lot of minutes and get plenty of run next season, but now the Detroit Pistons have a couple of guys who can temper that burden somewhat, which is valuable when you are trying to make rookies earn minutes.
Neither Noel or Burks will be in Detroit for the long term, but in the short term they give the team more flexibility and competition which is always a good thing.
Detroit Pistons: The future trade
The Pistons’ roster may be set at this point, as they currently have 15 players already signed for next season.
But that doesn’t mean they are finished trading, and Burks and Noel will be guys who could easily be moved at some point next season.
Both players are on contracts that have team options after next season, so they are essentially on expiring deals.
Both guys can still play and would add value to a contender, which will make them trade assets at the deadline. I don’t think either guy is going to fetch a big return by themselves, but have the types of salaries that could be included in a bigger trade or moved for future draft assets or young players.
It always helps to have movable contracts for veteran players who have skills that teams covet and Noel’s shot blocking and Burks’ 3-point shooting fall into that category, especially for a team looking to add depth for a playoff run.
This puts the Detroit Pistons in a great position, as they can spend the first half of the season using these players to help acclimate their rookies, and then move them right about the time they are ready to assume a larger role.
The fact that both guys are on expiring deals is a great deal for the Pistons.
Detroit Pistons: Competition for minutes is a good thing
Last season Killian Hayes was thrust into the starting lineup before he was ready and eventually lost his spot to veteran Cory Joseph.
This ended up being a good thing for Killian, as he played better off the bench, and was made better by having to compete for minutes. Having a smart player like Joseph around couldn’t have hurt, as he and guys like Rodney McGruder act as secondary coaches to the young guys in their positional group.
The same can be said of Burks and Noel, who will compete with their young counterparts, helping them to improve by making them earn every minute.
I can guarantee you that both Burks and Noel think they should be starting for the Detroit Pistons next season and aren’t just going to lay down and give that up to a bunch of young players and rookies.
They are going to make them earn it, otherwise we know Dwayne Casey will start the vets, just as he did last season with Cory Joseph.
Troy Weaver knows this, which is undoubtedly one of the reasons he wanted to make this trade, as it adds more veteran voices to the huddle and more competition in practice.
Even if Burks and Noel end up being traded at the deadline, they will give the Pistons value in several ways.