The Detroit Pistons currently have four centers on the roster in Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, James Wiseman and Marvin Bagley III.
So far the two-big experiment has not been successful, but it is hard to Judge in such a small sample size and without the full complement of players.
All four players are under contract for next season, but that doesn’t mean they will all be back, as Detroit definitely needs help on the wing and that may require making a trade if they don’t get one in the draft or free agency.
Detroit may just keep them all, but if all of them are ever healthy at the same time, it’s going to be hard to get them all minutes.
Of course, given the injury troubles that have plagued MBIII and Wiseman, that problem may never come up and Detroit may have to keep all four to ensure they have two healthy centers in the rotation at all times.
There is also the issue of paying at least $34.1 million for four centers when only one of them is really considered starting caliber.
If they do, a rotation like this could work:
- Cade/Killian
- Ivey/Burks
- FA/Draft pick/Livers
- Bojan/Stewart
- Duren/Wiseman
Stewart and Wiseman are the only big-man duo with a positive net rating this season and could be a nice complement for one another off the bench. But as you can see, this leaves one big man out, which might be a moot point if they aren’t all healthy at the same time.
But if they are, it leaves one big potentially out of the rotation, so could a trade be coming? If so, who is it going to be?
Detroit Pistons: Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart unlikely to be traded
Jalen Duren would probably have the most trade value given his age and productivity so far, but those are also the reasons the Detroit Pistons wouldn’t consider moving him.
Stewart is also likely safe, as he is the most versatile big they have, can play the power forward position and is the only one who has had any success playing with another center. Stewart has also improved every season and has flashed some ability to shoot and attack close-outs off the dribble.
Beef Stew is also the best defender of the group, and the Pistons have a horrible defense, so losing him could potentially make it even worse. Stewart is due for an extension this offseason, and Detroit may be able to keep him long term on a value deal that is less than Bagley III and Wiseman will be making next season.