There have been some surprises in the young NBA season, including the play of the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets.
The two are currently 5-8 and 5-7, respectively, exceeding low-bar expectations coming into the season.
While the Pistons added veterans hoping to compete, the Nets came into the season as one of the teams expected to “Sag for Flagg” and so far, that has not been the case.
One of the biggest reasons for their unexpected friskiness is point guard Dennis Schroder, who is putting up career numbers across the board, including 19.3 points per game while shooting 49 percent from the floor and an outstanding 46 percent from long range.
The 31-year-old point guard is giving the Nets some tough choices, as he is on an expiring contract that will make him an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
They may have interest in bringing him back, especially if they continue to play decently, but if not, he’d be an interesting trade target for the Pistons, who could use a veteran point guard.
Detroit has had a hard time closing out games and could use another scoring option who is more consistent. This would patch up some rough second-unit minutes offensively and give the Pistons a weapon late in games who takes care of the ball and makes free throws.
There are a number of factors at play and the biggest question of all which is ”what would the Nets want?"
Pistons or Nets: Which team freefalls first?
Right now, both the Pistons and Nets would be in the play-in tournament, but will it last?
Detroit has lost a couple of games they should have won, but also been gifted a win or two, most recently courtesy of Erik Spoelstra.
The Pistons are still turning the ball over way too much and their offense hasn’t clicked even though the defense has improved. Is it for real? We will see.
The same could be said for the Nets, who might be riding some unsustainable play at the moment, but right now don’t look like a team primed to tank.
Will one of these teams eventually have a freefall? Will the Nets decide to make moves designed to raise their chances for Cooper Flagg?
If the Pistons continue to be competitive and the Nets go the other direction, Schroder will almost certainly become available, as the Nets don’t want to lose him for nothing.
So keep an eye on the standings for both teams.
Is Dennis Schroder overkill for the Pistons?
When I said the Pistons needed a veteran point guard, I wasn’t necessarily thinking of someone as good as Schroder, as the Pistons are comfortable using Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.
But those two have turned the ball over a lot, especially late in games, so having a veteran who could run the offense in stretches wouldn’t be the worst thing.
Schroder is on an expiring contract, which makes him a possible rental, but one the Pistons likely wouldn’t have to give too much up to get.
This goes back to the standings. If the Pistons are legitimately competing for a play-in spot near the deadline, then giving up some minor assets to get better makes sense. Why not?
It’s not a long-term investment and it would be nice for the young Pistons to play in meaningful games for the first time in their careers. This leads to the biggest question, which is what would the Nets want.
Detroit Pistons rumors: Trading for Dennis Schroder
The answer is I have no idea.
Schroder isn’t a superstar but he’s very good and could clearly help a team in need of a point guard who is shooting the ball like he is and is on a team-friendly deal that doesn't extend past this season.
He could be one of the hottest trade commodities at the deadline if the Nets do decide to move him, so if a bidding war breaks out, the Pistons might want to stay clear.
But Detroit is the only team with cap space, which means they could send the Nets a smaller salary and draft assets, essentially transferring their $10 million in cap space to Brooklyn.
Sending them Marcus Sasser would satisfy the salary swap. The Nets would undoubtedly want draft assets, but the Pistons aren’t going to give up a first-rounder for a guy on an expiring deal.
Detroit has plenty of second rounders to throw around, including one in 2025 from Toronto that will likely be near the top of the round. What the Pistons would be willing to give up would depend on how serious they really are about winning this season and where they are in the standings.
It would be nice for the Pistons to be in a position to add talent this season instead of subtract it and Schroder is a guy who would help in several ways.