After striking out in trades and early free agency, the Detroit Pistons could wait out the buyout market to see if any appealing names become available.Â
But that chance looks unlikely after a recent report from The Stein Line (subscription) suggested that the Kings had no interest in buying out Zach LaVine, a player who has been attached to the Pistons in speculation in the past.Â
The same is true of Jrue Holiday, as the Trail Blazers have made it clear that no buy out is imminent even though they suddenly have a logjam at the position.Â
On paper, either of these players could theoretically help the Pistons, but they are buyout traps that are probably best avoided.Â
Zach LaVine is fool’s goldÂ
LaVine still puts up numbers when he is healthy, and he would theoretically provide some of the ball handling and secondary scoring the Pistons failed to get for Cade Cunningham this offseason.Â
The Kings made it clear that LaVine is not part of their future plans, but he chose to opt-in anyway, and you can’t blame him given that he’ll never sniff that kind of payday again. LaVine has no reason to leave money behind, and it's hard to see the Kings paying him $48 million to go away.
If they did, the idea of LaVine on a minimum deal has some appeal, but we also know he comes with a million red flags. Aside from the obvious injury concerns, LaVine isn’t a good defender and has never been a winner in his career.Â
Lavine has only appeared in four playoff games in his career and has really only proven that he can put up stats on a bad team in meaningless games. He comes with the stink of the Kings on him, which is never a good thing.
He wouldn’t be the worst option if the Pistons felt desperate, but they have no reason to and don’t really need another shooting guard.Â
Jrue Holiday isn’t coming to DetroitÂ
Jrue Holiday would be a great fit on paper, as he’s a very good ball handler, defender and 3-point shooter, even at age 36.Â
He still has a year, and a player option left on his deal, so it’s hard to see Portland’s cheapskate owner paying Holiday that kind of money to play for another team.Â
Even if Holiday were bought out, he’d have plenty of suitors, and it’s doubtful that Detroit would be high on his list of teams to play for, as going back to his old team in Philly and playing on a superteam would likely have more appeal.Â
The Pistons would have to offer way more money or years to lure him, and at that point, he probably isn’t worth it, as it would take painful cuts or a big trade to put Detroit in position to do it.Â
Holiday still has trade value unlike LaVine, so it’s more likely Detroit would have to come up with $34 million in matching salary to get him, which is nearly impossible right now.Â
It looks highly unlikely either of these players will be bought out, and it’s just as well, as the Pistons should keep their assets for better options or players who have interest in coming to Detroit.Â
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