The Detroit Pistons have been watching the offseason action carefully, waiting in the weeds to pounce at the right opportunity.
That opportunity could come via the Washington Wizards, who just traded star guard Bradley Beal to the Suns for peanuts according to Adrian Wojnarowski among others.
Can we just take a second to recognize how badly the Wizards botched this whole thing? I actually feel sorry for Wizards’ fans, who had to endure mediocrity while their star was in massive trade rumors for years, only to watch the team wait too long and eventually trade him for what amounts to matching contracts and a second-round pick. Yikes.
Yes, they did get out of his contract, the massive extension that they signed him to that inexplicably contained the only no-trade clause in the NBA, which tanked his value on the open market.
Just an absolute travesty of asset management.
But the Wizards’ folly could help the Pistons in a number of ways, as they are likely to tear down their roster and Detroit could pick the bones.
The Pistons could pick the Wizards’ bones after Bradley Beal trade
The veteran bench players
The Wizards have a number of high-profile players who are now more likely to hit the market, but they also have some bench guys who might be nice fits on the Pistons.
Both Monte Morris and Delon Wright would be quality backup guards who would upgrade the spots vacated by Cory Joseph and Rodney McGruder. The Pistons could use a veteran backup guard behind Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, preferably one who can defend and/or shoot the 3-ball.
They are both on team-friendly, expiring deals, so could be trade targets for Detroit. Would the Wizards be interested in sending over Morris for Marvin Bagley III?
There could be some mutual interest there. After trading away Beal, it makes little sense to keep these types of veterans, but before Detroit gets to the bench, they might inquire about some guys who would make a much bigger impact.