Latest NBA injury news creates win-win trade opportunity for Pistons

The far riskier option

Trading Marvin Bagley III now would mitigate some risk for the Detroit Pistons. The first is the risk that he gets hurt at some point this season. The second is the risk that they will have to pay his guaranteed $12.5 million next season.

But he is a better bet to be in the rotation than James Wiseman, who would also be a safer gamble for the Grizzlies, as Wiseman is on an expiring deal. But would Detroit take a flyer on a player who is already hurt?

Brandon Clarke tore his Achilles back in March and there is currently no timeline for his return. When healthy, he and Wiseman are almost complete opposites, as Clarke is a very good defender with a limited offensive game and Wiseman is more of an offensive player who doesn’t defend much.

Clarke also has three more guaranteed years past this one, so Detroit would actually be taking on more long-term money than just sticking with Wiseman and waiting for him to step up or for his deal to expire.

The money and injury make this an extreme longshot for Detroit, though Clarke is a guy with a skillset they could use as they try to transform their defense into a respectable one and Wiseman might enjoy a homecoming to Memphis where he went to college.

With an extra big on the roster in Detroit, Memphis may come sniffing around now that Adams has been ruled out for the season, but it’s not clear if there is a trade that would interest both teams.