Detroit Pistons’ game tonight a possible trade deadline showcase

Detroit Pistons: Dallas Mavericks trade for Alec Burks

Alec Burks is a valuable trade chip not only for his production as one of the best 3-point shooters in the league, but also his contract, which only has a team-friendly option for next season remaining.

He’s probably not the big splash Mavs fans are hoping for, but he’d be a solid addition for a team that could use more shooting around Luka. The Pistons say they are holding out for a “tremendous return” for Burks, but have never said specifically what that might be.

The thought is that the Detroit Pistons can use Burks too, so there is no reason to give him up less there is something of value coming back, likely in the form of a first-round pick or a promising young player.

Some executives around the league think the Pistons may top out at two second-round picks for Burks, in which case they would almost certainly just keep him. This seems even more absurd after seeing Hui Hachimura get traded for three second-rounders.

Would Dallas give up a first-round pick for Burks? To do so, it would either have to be heavily protected, or the Pistons would have to take back a bad contract, so here is one that might work for both teams.

The Pistons would REALLY have to want to get their hands on a first-round pick to do this one, as Bertans has a horrible contract that pays him $17 million next season and a partially guaranteed $16 million the year after that.

Count me as one who would want no part of that Bertans’ deal, and any pick coming from Dallas is  never likely to be a good one, as they are going to be in the playoffs as long as Doncic is there.

A lesser deal would be to send Dwight Powell’s expiring deal and a couple of second-round picks, but that doesn’t seem too enticing to Detroit either.