Latest NBA injury news creates win-win trade opportunity for Pistons
We’ve talked all offseason about the Detroit Pistons’ roster and how it is unbalanced with too many centers and guards.
That problem has been exasperated by the absence of Bojan Bogdanovic and Isaiah Livers, which basically leaves the Pistons with one wing (Ausar Thompson) and a small-ball center masquerading as a power forward (Isaiah Stewart).
At some point they will need to address this through a trade or next offseason in free agency and the Pistons could really use a power forward who can defend and shoot the 3-ball.
Related Story. Important deadline today could present opportunity for Detroit. light
An opportunity may have presented itself with a recent injury that could leave the Memphis Grizzlies looking for a big man.
Latest NBA injury news
According to Adrian Wojnarowski among others, Grizzlies’ starting center Steven Adams will be out for the season after undergoing surgery:
Grizzlies center Steven Adams will undergoing season-ending surgery for a knee injury, team says.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 22, 2023
The Grizzlies will already be without Ja Morant, who is serving a 25-game suspension, as well as forward Brandon Clarke, who will be out until at least February with a torn Achilles, though there is currently no timeline for his return.
This is not an ideal start for Memphis, who has title aspirations going into the season but will have to start it shorthanded without three key rotation players.
The Pistons do have an extra big or two they could send the Grizzlies’ way, but neither Marvin Bagley III nor James Wiseman are clear fits in their culture, as they are basically the anti-Adams, as centers who aren’t great defenders or screen setters.
But MBIII would be an offensive upgrade and with so little big-man depth, the Grizzlies may be interested in a backup center who can fit with power forward Jaren Jackson Jr.