Detroit Pistons: Teams in West to watch as trade deadline approaches

The Detroit Pistons haven’t made any moves as the 3PM ET trade deadline approaches, but there could still be a flurry of trades in the final hours.

After the Kyrie Irving trade to Dallas, and last night’s blockbuster that sent Kevin Durant to the Suns, the Western Conference arms race is on, with the rest of the conference left wondering what they can do to keep up.

The big name left on the market is OG Anunoby (a guy I’d love to have in Detroit) but just behind him would be veterans Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks from the Detroit Pistons. Teams in the West could be desperate to add some firepower and may decide to up their offers to get Detroit to part with one or both of their sharpshooters.

Detroit has repeatedly said that is not going to happen, but they were reportedly involved in a potential 3-way deal last night that likely would have included Bogdanovic, so their stance could all just be posturing in the end.

Here are four teams in the West who may try to add players in the final hours before the NBA trade deadline.

Detroit Pistons trades: 4 teams to watch at the NBA trade deadline

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are the second seed in the West and one of the teams rumored to be after Anunoby. They may feel compelled to add some impact talent after the Mavericks and Suns both improved, so if they strike out on Anunoby, they could give the Detroit Pistons a call.

A package centered around Ziaire Williams and a first-round pick for Bojan Bogdanovic could be enough to pique the Pistons’ interest.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers need to do something if they really want to compete for a title this season and they have been trying. They were one of the teams that reportedly went after Irving and are allegedly after a point guard. They are unlikely suitors for Bogdanovic, but someone like Alec Burks would help their depth. I also came up with one wild trade with the Clippers that would set off a civil war on Pistons’ Twitter that would be entertaining to watch.

It seems more likely at this point that their guard might be Russell Westbrook, who is reportedly hitting the buyout market after being traded to Utah.

New Orleans Pelicans

I am surprised the Pelicans haven’t done something, as they have plummeted in the standings waiting for Zion Williamson to come back and have the ammo to make a deal with just about anyone. Either Burks or Bogdanovic would be a nice addition, and they have young players like Herb Jones and Jaxson Hayes to go along with picks aplenty to get it done.

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors now know what it feels like to watch a good rival team land Kevin Durant. With Curry out and Golden State clinging to a play-in spot, they are another team that could be looking for additional help to try and defend their title, which just got a lot tougher. They have one interesting young player in Jonathan Kuminga who the Detroit Pistons would love, but  would they be willing to give him up for an upgrade?

There are only a few hours left until the NBA trade deadline but we are sure to see some kind of move by the Detroit Pistons, though it is getting increasingly likely that it’s just a low-level deal involving Nerlens Noel.