Trade with Knicks better than expected for Pistons

When the official terms of the second trade with the New York Knicks were finally released, it turns out the Detroit Pistons did better than originally thought.

There were two different deals made with New York since NBA Draft night. The first ended up netting the Pistons the No. 13 pick in the draft, where Detroit took Memphis center Jalen Duren.

A few days later, with the Knicks needing to clear even more salary cap space, so they could sign free agent Jalen Brunson, they came to Detroit for another trade.

The trade details that were leaked on June 28 were this:

Pistons receive:

• Alec Burks
• Nerlens Noel
• Own 2023 second-round draft pick
• Miami heavily protected 2024 second-round pick
• $6 million dollars

Knicks receive:

• Nothing

It always seemed this version of the trade seemed a bit odd.

First of all, under NBA rules, to have a trade, each team has to give up something. So the Knicks had to get an asset in return, even though they may not want anything.

The other part is, assuming that Noel (who with the crush at center is not really needed) and Burks are one-year rentals, all Detroit really got back was its own second-round pick, as the Miami pick was so heavily protected, it had little chance of conveying.

This seemed to be a lot of commitment on the Pistons part, for what looked like adding one second-rounder.

Changes in the Knicks-Detroit Pistons trade, Part 2

While many deals around the league were announced in late June, none of them were official. The new year for the NBA starts at noon on July 6, so no deals could be registered with the league office until then.

(Which is why Duren had to play his first summer league game with Detroit having no practice, because he was Knicks property until July 6.)

When details were finally announced, the trade looks better for the Pistons. It’s not like crazy fleecing. Detroit isn’t getting R.J. Barrett and three No. 1 picks; but it is an improvement on what was originally announced.

Per the Pistons press release, this is what the trade will end up being:

That Cash Considerations seems to get traded a lot. Although not in the press release, it has been reported the Knicks are giving Detroit $6 million to pay for Kemba Walker’s buyout. It has no effect on the Pistons salary cap space, but owner Tom Gores undoubtedly appreciates it.

The lone major change is the second-rounder the Pistons are getting, besides their own.

• Miami’s 2025 heavily protected second round pick turns into a 2026 2nd rounder from either Minnesota or the Knicks, depending on those teams position.

New York still basically got nothing. Radicevic is a 6-foot-6 forward who the Pistons received the rights to, as part of a trade with Denver back in Nov., 2020. He is currently playing in Europe and expected to stay there.

The 2025 second-rounder New York is getting is well-protected and should not convey.

So Detroit receives two serviceable veterans on expiring contracts, and two second-rounders.

Many Detroit fans were hoping general manager Troy Weaver could talk the Knicks into giving them their own first-rounder, which could be conveyed as early as next year, but it did not happen.

The trade is not a home run but a solid double for Detroit. Since Weaver always says he wants veterans, Burks and Noel will each fill a role. And, since they do not have a big stockpile of draft picks, even two second-rounders will help.

The second trade with the Knicks now does not seem as odd as when first announced. And all good for the Pistons.