The Pistons need to avoid a James Harden type drama

The NBA is never short on offseason drama, but so far none of it has involved the Detroit Pistons and that is a good thing.

Lately, it’s been James Harden who has dominated the NBA headlines after saying in China that he would not play for the 76ers, calling President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey a “liar” in the process.

This is after demanding a trade earlier in the offseason and just a couple of days after the 76ers said they had stopped looking for trades. It was already going to be difficult to find a trade for Harden, but this surely won’t help.

Now Philly has to worry that MVP Joel Embiid will side with Harden or eventually ask for a trade of his own if Harden is dealt. It’s the exact type of mess that the Detroit Pistons need to avoid.

The Pistons need to avoid a James Harden type drama

The Pistons have never been a free-agent destination, and certainly aren’t right now after winning just 17 games last season. They used up their cap space on trades for Joe Harris and Monte Morris instead, but there may come a day when a star player could be enticed to play in Detroit, or more likely, that the team lands one in a trade.

When that day comes, Detroit has to get it right, and that means avoiding players and contracts that are going to put the team in a position with no leverage. I have no idea who is at fault in the Harden/Morey war, but I do know that as talented as he is, Harden has played for four teams and has ended it badly with all of them.

Something like this would be compounded for the Pistons, who already lack leverage in a city that isn’t a hot-spot destination for young millionaires.

It’s better for Detroit to draft and develop their own guys and complement them with free agency and trades rather than to swing for the fences on a mercenary who will never commit long term.

Stars change teams more than ever, which is why it is vital that Detroit develop their own, players who have some connection to the city after playing there and financial motivation to stay.