The 2023 NBA Draft is a week away and trade rumors are starting to heat up. The Detroit Pistons are being mentioned more frequently, as there has been speculation that they will try to trade their 5th pick.
Of course, there has also been speculation that Detroit will try to trade back for additional picks, so I’d like to officially welcome you to smokescreen season!
One of the teams that is actively trying to trade their pick according to multiple reports is the Dallas Mavericks, who have the 10th pick but would allegedly like to swap it for talent that can help them win now.
There could be a match with the Detroit Pistons and a recent rumor fanned the flames of that idea.
Detroit Pistons fleece the Mavericks in unlikely trade rumor
According to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, the Pistons have been mentioned as a possible trade partner with the Mavericks, but the one he suggested seems very unlikely:
"“Some trade scenarios could be in play for the Pistons with the No. 31 pick as well, for example, packaging Bojan Bogdanovic for Tim Hardaway Jr. and the No. 10 pick, sources tell ESPN.”"
While there might be some substance to this idea, it seems lopsided in favor of the Detroit Pistons (I’m ok with that) and even a trade that both teams would turn down for a couple of reasons.
Let’s start with the easy side and take a look at why Dallas would likely hang up the phone and delete the Pistons’ number.