Tale of two B/R trades for the Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons: Trade with the Golden State Warriors

The next trade makes less sense for the Detroit Pistons for a couple of reasons. Here is what was proposed:

In this trade, Detroit sends Olynyk and a first-round pick in exchange for former #2 pick James Wiseman and second-round pick Ryan Rollins, who is from Detroit.

Although Wiseman is an intriguing talent, this one doesn’t make much sense for Detroit. First off, any deal that sends out a first-round pick is suspect, as the Pistons are rebuilding and need every pick they can get.

Secondly, even after trading Olynyk, the Pistons would have four centers already on the roster, five counting Wiseman. That includes recently drafted Jalen Duren, who could be better than Wiseman and is only 18-years-old.

Also, are we even sure Wiseman is good? I wrote ages ago that I though Isaiah Stewart would be better than Wiseman and I stick by that. Wiseman didn’t play at all last season, and though he might have a higher ceiling than Stewart, it would be a risk when there is a first-round pick involved.

I don’t see how Stewart, Duren and Wiseman would all fit unless one of them magically turned into a power forward and was able to hit long-range shots. That is possible of course, but it seems like the Pistons would be better off sticking with the young centers they already have and using that pick to grab a player that fills a more pressing need.

Of course, Troy Weaver was high on Wiseman in the Draft and reportedly kicked the tires on a trade for him before, but that was before they drafted Duren, and the Pistons are high on him too.

This would be a roll of the dice when it comes to talent and fit, but it’s definitely an interesting idea, especially if Detroit could find a way to do it without giving up a pick, or including one that was further in the future.