Grade the trade: Pistons’ pragmatism underwhelms

Grade the trade: Pistons’ pragmatism underwhelms

Trade #1: Pistons receive Joe Harris and two second-round picks from the Nets in exchange for nothing

The Detroit Pistons were given two second-round picks to take on the $20 million expiring contracts of Joe Harris, who is still one of the league’s best pure shooters, but definitely on the downside of his career.

He does fill a need, so from that perspective he’s a nice veteran addition. They aren’t bringing him on to be a starter (which is why comparing his contract to Cam Johnson’s is asinine) and aren’t beholden to him long term.

The deal gives them a big expiring contract that could be very valuable at the trade deadline as some teams look to shed salary in a trade. The Pistons aren’t stuck paying him for very long, so it’s best to just think of Harris as a future $20 million in cap space. Whatever he provides in terms of on-the-court value is really just gravy.

So it was a pragmatic move that retains Detroit’s financial flexibility while adding a veteran who can help them.

I get that.

But it seems like Detroit should have been rewarded a little more than two second-round picks to take on $20 million, especially when the Nets were desperate to get rid of Harris and needed that money to make an offer to Cam Johnson. It seems like Detroit should at least gotten a protected first-round pick for $20 million given the situation.

So while I understand the financial pragmatism, and that he fills a need, Detroit was underpaid for the service they provided the Nets.

Grade: C-