Detroit Pistons: How to get a 2nd-round pick for Nerlens Noel

When the Detroit Pistons took on Nerlens Noel as part of a trade with the Knicks, it was thought that he could provide some veteran leadership and defense off the bench.

So far that has not been the case, as he has only played in 13 games after nursing an injury at the start of the season and really hasn’t made much of an impact for the Pistons even though they have had injuries to their bigs.

He only has a team option for next season left on his contract, so is highly unlikely to be on the team next season, especially since that option would pay him nearly $10 million.

Nerlens Noel doesn’t have much value to a rebuilding team and there seems to be mutual consensus that moving him to a contender that needs center depth is probably best for everyone involved.

Teams like the Celtics would seemingly be a good fit, but they don’t have the contracts to match in a trade, which illustrates the problem with trading Noel, as few contending teams have an expiring deal they are willing to move, and if it is just trading one non-rotation player for another, then what is the point?

But there is one team out there that is not only looking for center depth, but also has the contract and an extra second-round pick that they may be willing to deal for Noel.

Detroit Pistons: Trading Nerlens Noel to the Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are a team that could be looking for center depth after Steven Adams went down with a knee injury that could keep him out for 3-5 weeks. The Grizzlies are currently the 2nd seed in the Western Conference, but have lost four in a row.

They have the depth and talent to absorb the injury to Adams, but could use another big man in case of emergency and Noel is a known quantity who can give a team rim protection in spurts.

The Grizzlies also have an expiring contract and an extra second-round pick in the 2023 draft, so there could be a deal to be made:

The 35-year-old Green is trying to come back from injury and rehabbing in the G-League, but hasn’t played at all for the Grizzlies this season and plays a position where they have some depth.

They have a two second-round picks in 2023 and might be willing to deal one of them to get some big-man insurance while Adams deals with his knee.

This trade is the textbook definition of low impact, as neither of these players has much left in the tank, but Noel is seven years younger and has more to offer than Green at this point in their respective careers.

The pick, whether Memphis gave up their own or Minnesota’s, isn’t likely to be a good one, but would at least give the rebuilding Detroit Pistons another shot in the second round and a chance to get something for a guy who doesn’t play for them anyway.

It’s not going to shake the foundations of the league, but this is a deal that could help both teams in small ways.