The Detroit Pistons had a modest trade deadline this season, adding backup point guard Dennis Schroder and netting two second-round picks.
It’s too soon to know what kind of impact Schroder will make, but the early signs are promising, as the half-court offense in the second unit has looked more fluid and orderly in the three games he's played with Detroit so far.
It’s doubtful that Schroder is the catalyst that leads the Pistons to an NBA championship, but he could help them win a few games in their unlikely push towards the playoffs.
He wouldn’t be the first February acquisition to make a big impact in Detroit, as they’ve made two additions that directly led to championships.
Insider Marc Stein (subscription) recently put together a list of the top February acquisitions and there were two Detroit Pistons among the names.
Marc Aguirre (1988-89)
Aguirre came to the Pistons in a trade for Adrian Dantley, with two of the most underrated players from their era swapping teams.
For those of you who are too young to remember these guys, congratulations on your youth, but you missed out on two of the premier scorers that no one talks about.
Aguirre was a 3-time All-Star who once averaged 29.5 points per game in a season and 20 for his career.
Dantley was merely a Rookie of the Year, 6-time All-Star and 2-time NBA scoring champion who was one of the best post and mid-range scorers of all time even though he was only 6-foot-5.
But Dantley wasn’t happy with a lesser role, so the Pistons flipped him for Aguirre, who took that role, played it well and helped the team to two straight championships.
Rasheed Wallace (2003-4)
Far more fans remember Rasheed Wallace, who joined the Pistons and was the catalyst to the Goin’ to Work title in 2004.
There has never been a player who fit more seamlessly and perfectly with a team, as Wallace was the final piece of arguably the greatest defense of all-time and was a stretch four before it was en vogue.
Sheed will be remembered by some fans for being one of the most hated guys in the league, a guy the refs couldn’t get enough of T’ing up. But if you were lucky enough to have him on your team, you know this guy was one of the smartest players in the NBA, a great passer, gifted scorer and a guy who could guard pretty much anyone.
Dennis Schroder doesn’t fall into the same category as these two and the Pistons are certainly not knocking on the door of a title, but hopefully he can be a spark to help them secure their first playoff berth since 2019.