The Detroit Pistons are getting some much-needed rest after playing the busiest schedule in the NBA so far.
The Pistons haven’t played since Saturday and won’t again until Thursday, but they have still played as many as three games more than some of the other teams in the Eastern Conference.
Detroit sits at 10-15, tied with the Pacers and Bulls for the last play-in spot in a big group of teams with not much separating them.
The Pistons are teetering in the gray area between being semi-relevant and being one of the worst teams in the East, and that will likely be reflected in the trade rumors we see heading into January and February.
If the Pistons are close to the play-in, they might make a minor move to improve the roster, or at least might not sell off all of their coveted veterans.
If things go the other way, we could see the Pistons jettison several players, including ones that they just signed over the summer
Trade season officially begins on December 15th, when most recently signed free agents are eligible to be traded. The Pistons have three players that fall into that category and we could see them all moved.
Tobias Harris
Chances of being traded: 15%
Harris signed a two-year deal over the summer, so come see me next year at this time when he is on an expiring deal.
Harris hasn’t been great, but he hasn’t been bad either and has provided some of the steadying presence on both ends that the Pistons needed.
He’ll be far more coveted as an expiring contract next year than he is now, so it’s hard to see the Pistons moving him unless it is part of a big deal and they need the contract.
They also have no viable option at his position, so unless a power forward is coming back, Harris isn’t likely going anywhere...yet.
Simone Fontecchio
Chances of being traded: 65%
Fontecchio also signed a two-year deal over the summer, but his would be much easier to move given that he’s making a third of what Harris is this season.
Fontecchio also hasn’t been great, as he’s only shooting 34 percent from long range, lowest since his rookie season. He’s battling a toe injury and an unclear role in the rotation, as the Pistons don’t run many plays for him and his minutes have been uneven, especially since Ausar Thompson returned.
He’s been disappointing overall, but a guy with his, albeit short, history of being a good shooter will likely draw interest from somewhere. A team like OKC could come calling and I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Pistons trade Fontecchio to open up more minutes for their two young wings, who have both been better this season.
Malik Beasley
Chances of being traded: 50/50
If the Pistons start to falter then Beasley could be traded, as he will be a coveted shooter at the deadline.
It might not be a bad idea to trade him while he is on a high note, as Beasley has had some high-profile big games and is shooting the ball well, but is notoriously streaky
The Pistons could sell high on Beasley and should if the price is right, as he’s on an expiring deal and Detroit needs draft assets. The question is what they can get for Beasley.
If it’s a 1st-round pick of any kind, they’d have to consider it even though Beasley has been a big positive this season. He’ll be a free agent after the season anyway and if the Pistons want him back, they can always offer him a contract.
This one is tough, as Beasley is providing something the Pistons need, which is 3-point shooting. They haven’t been great overall even with Beasley, who is one of the best high-volume shooters in the NBA, so without him this team would be even worse from the 3-point line than they were last season.
I’d love to see Beasley back, as I love his confidence and leadership along with the shooting, but the Pistons also have to balance other needs. This will also depend on Beasley. If he wants to chase rings, it might behoove him to be traded at the deadline, and if he gives the Pistons an indication that he won't re-sign with them next offseason, then they should cash in their chips.