Grade the trade: Pistons add defense, picks in proposed blockbuster

Detroit Pistons add defense and picks in mega-trade 

Obviously, Butler going to the Warriors would grab all of the headlines, but this would be a sneaky good deal for the Pistons, though one that comes with some challenges. 

The first would be that they would have to open a roster spot by cutting Paul Reed, who wasn’t great in preseason but has shown he can be an impact backup. But if he is only going to be playing 3rd center minutes, replacing him with Looney is no big deal. 

Gary Payton II would also be a decent defensive upgrade in the backup guard ranks and would give coach Bickerstaff a defender to bring off the bench for a few minutes per game instead of Marcus Sasser, who then becomes trade bait himself. 

Most importantly, these two have expiring contracts that would be easy to move at the deadline, potentially for more second-round picks, especially in the case of Looney, who has shown he can be an impact backup in the playoffs. 

The Pistons aren’t giving up anything but cap space they aren’t using anyway and would pick up three more second-round picks (with the chance for another at the trade deadline) as well as two guys who would help their overall depth. 

If the Pistons are going to do a salary dump trade like this, then this one isn’t bad, as second-round picks should have more value in the apron era as teams try to stay away from guaranteed money, which may allow the Pistons to move into the first round in one of these years. 

Grade: A-