Detroit Pistons: 10 worst trades in franchise history
# 4 Acquired Corey Maggette in exchange for Ben Gordon and a 1st round pick in 2012
We know that the Ben Gordon free-agent signing is symbolic of the death of the Goin’ to Work Pistons. The squad that won the 2004 NBA championship was pretty much history by the time Gordon arrived alongside the off-season’s other big free agent signing, Charlie Villanueva. Gordon was unable to live up to the expectations that coincided with the $55 million contract he inked his name on in 2009. By the time he was shipped to Charlotte, most Pistons fans were beyond ready to see him go.
Getting rid of Gordon isn’t the issue, and it’s all well and good that the Pistons got out from under $14 million of wasted money thanks to that swap. While $14 million is no small hunk of change, it’s not worth giving up a Top-10 pick. Every season we see teams tank hoping to improve their chances in the draft lottery and get the highest pick possible. No, #9 is not #1, but lottery picks are exactly what they should have been looking to acquire at that time. Gordon’s departure didn’t open the door to the signing of a star, or the reconfiguring of a contender on the fly. His trade, just like his signing, was a bad decision.
A short list of players that Detroit could have selected includes Nikola Jokic, Zach LaVine, Jusuf Nurkic, Clint Capela, and even eventual-Piston Jerami Grant. Why pass up on such talent all to save money smack dab in the middle of a six-year stretch during which the team played sub.-500 ball?
The Ben Gordon signing was a mistake. The Ben Gordon trade was even worse.