The Detroit Pistons have been mentioned in myriad blockbuster trade rumors, but their best move may be one around the fringes, and there is the perfect player in Jose Alvarado waiting for them on the Pelicans.
The Pistons have been mentioned as a possible suitor for Trey Murphy III, and there have been reports of scouts from Detroit at recent Pelicans games.
But that’s a move that would require a handsome trade package that Trajan Langdon may not be willing to sacrifice until he knows what he has in his own guys.
Bill Simmons recently suggested that the Pistons target backup guard Jose Alvarado instead and proposed the following trade:
There are few players in the NBA who would fit more seamlessly into the Pistons’ culture than Alvarado, who is a defensive pest who plays with a non-stop motor.
I love this idea, though there are questions about the trade cost as well as Troy Weaver’s relationship with his old team.
Detroit Pistons rumors: Trading for Jose Alvarado could be a low-cost win
I’ve stood on my opinion that the Pistons will not make a blockbuster trade at the deadline, but this is the NBA, so you can never rule anything out.
But they could improve on the fringes by consolidating some of their talent (hopefully for a shooter) or swapping out players for those who are better fits.
This would be the latter, as Alvarado would be a great fit on the Pistons as a point guard who can handle the ball, break down a defense and shoot the 3-ball. He’s not been a great 3-point shooter in his career, but he’s hitting over 38 percent this season on nearly five attempts per game.
But it’s his defense that would intrigue the Pistons, as putting Alvarado with Ron Holland already makes me smile. Alvarado is non-stop energy, a guy who can change the pace of the game with his defense and make life hell for opposing players by picking them up full court.
Alvarado would instantly be a fan favorite and would be another energy guy the Pistons could use to come at teams in waves of intense defense.
I do wonder if Alvarado is really worth the cost of a first-round pick, but Trajan Langdon was part of the front office that found and developed Alvarado from an undrafted free agent into an NBA rotation player, so he’ll know better than anyone what Alvarado can mean to a team and how much that is worth. I'd want that pick lottery protected, as you never know what the Pistons will look like in 2030.
Troy Weaver was part of the front office that traded up to draft Marcus Sasser, so might see him as a low-cost flyer who potentially fits with Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears. He’d also recoup some much-needed draft capital for the Pelicans.
Weaver and Joe Dumars aren’t exactly on the best terms with the Pistons, but I doubt it would prevent a trade, as I am sure Langdon still has some friends in New Orleans and had nothing to do with whatever beef Dumars might have with Tom Gores.
I would love the Pistons to add another defender like Alvarado or Keon Ellis, who would make the Pistons’ reserves similar to OKC’s last season when they brought in elite defenders in waves off the bench to overwhelm teams with defense.
Alvarado may not be the dream target from the Pelicans, but he’s realistic, wouldn’t cost much and would add another impact defender.