Detroit Pistons: Brooklyn Nets may need desperation trade with Durant out

Detroit Pistons: A trade of Alec Burks to the Brooklyn Nets

It’s going to be interesting to see what happens with Burks, as he has value for all of the reasons I mentioned before, and I am certain Detroit is loathe to take a step back after another losing season where fans are calculating lottery odds instead of playoff odds.

But Burks is 31-years-old and not necessarily part of the long-term rebuilding plans for the Detroit Pistons, so they might consider a deal that brings them back an unprotected first-round pick and a young player with some upside.

In this trade, the Nets get a scorer to help them withstand the loss of Durant, while giving up two players who have played little for them this season in veteran Patty Mills and 22-year-old combo forward Kessler Edwards, as well as a distant 1st-round pick.

The Nets may be leery about trading that pick, as Durant’s contract will be over by then, as will Ben Simmons, so they could be in full-fledged rebuild mode without a pick to help.

But Burks not only gives them a boost this season, but is under a team-friendly deal for next season as well and gives them the bench shooting they have not gotten enough of from Mills or Joe Harris. It would also allow them to get out of Mills’ contract, which runs through next season.

The Nets would have to be desperate to do this, but it would help them maximize their title window with Durant. But what about the Detroit Pistons?