The Detroit Pistons need an heir apparent to Tobias Harris and there is an obvious trade to get one by sending Jaden Ivey to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for PJ Washington.
Washington is a guy I’ve written a lot about, as he fits what the Pistons are looking for as a stretch big who can rebound, plays with toughness and can defend the position well.
He was recently mentioned as a possibility for the Pistons by Sam Vecenie of the Game Theory Podcast, though his co-host Bryce Simon did push back on the idea somewhat.
On paper, it makes sense, as the Mavs have too many power forwards with #1 pick Cooper Flagg coming in and a lot of money already tied up in big men. The Mavs have little guard depth (especially with Kyrie Irving out) and could better balance their roster by moving a big.
The Pistons are the opposite, as they have guards but lack bigs, which is why some believe Ivey will ultimately be the odd man out.
This isn’t a knock on Ivey, but it’s more about Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland II. If those two both break out next season, they will have to be paid shortly after, and the Pistons simply can’t keep every young player they have and give them all raises at the same time.
It’s also about balancing a roster that lacks size and depth at the power forward spot, which is arguably more difficult to find than shoot-first guards.
All of this makes sense and is obvious to those paying attention, but that doesn’t mean the Pistons should do it.
Detroit Pistons rumors: It’s all about the money with PJ Washington
Before you even get into what these two offer on the court, you have to think about the money, a topic that will dominate everything else now that going into the tax is vastly more punitive than the past.
Both Ivey and Washington are on expiring deals and about to get big new contracts from someone, probably in the same range, so you have to ask whether you’d rather pay Ivey or Washington over the next four seasons.
Ivey is three years younger and has clearly proven less after losing the bulk of two seasons to Monty Williams and a freak injury. But he also has a much higher ceiling, so the Pistons would want more than a very good role player in exchange.
Washington has been reliable in his career and hasn’t missed much time, so fits the ethos Trajan Langdon has established by avoiding injury-prone players.
Washington would be an upgrade over Harris on both ends but still allow them to keep Harris in the rotation and either use his big expiring in another trade or let him walk after the season with Washington essentially filling the pay slot he vacated.
The Pistons would be risking sending out a possible star in Ivey, so they’d have to see something they didn’t like or just think Ivey’s defense and/or offensive fit wasn’t there.
It’s one we are going to hear plenty about as the trade deadline approaches, especially if the Pistons do not come to an extension agreement with Ivey before the season.