We are just under two weeks away from the NBA trade deadline and the Detroit Pistons are a team that has repeatedly been mentioned.
Those hoping the Pistons push in their assets for a star are likely to be disappointed, as Trajan Langdon has made it clear he’s not going to skip steps, even when his team is outperforming expectations.
It must be tempting though, especially with the Pistons sitting in the 6th seed, just a game behind the 5th and just three games separating them from hosting a first-round playoff series, a possibility that would have been unthinkable before the season.
Even without Jaden Ivey, Langdon’s team is playing well, building chemistry and coach JB Bickerstaff is pushing all the right buttons.
That’s why I never bought into some of the rumors being bandied about, as they just don’t seem to fit with the ethos Langdon is trying to build and wouldn’t be clear wins for the Pistons, as most of the guys available come with big red flags.
Insider Jake Fischer recently dampened one of the hottest Pistons rumors and it couldn’t come soon enough for those of us who are sick of talking about it.
Brandon Ingram to the Detroit Pistons is not happening
My first gig in sports writing was covering the New Orleans Pelicans, who were fresh off reloading from the Anthony Davis trade and drafting Zion Williamson.
They were a fun team to cover at times, but mostly they were intensely frustrating, as Zion and teammate Brandon Ingram were always hurt. That hasn’t changed.
As frustrating as they were to write about, it must have been 1,000 times worse for Trajan Langdon, who was the team’s GM and given the arduous task of trying to build a team around two supremely talented players who rarely play.
I’ve since been emancipated from the Pelicans and get to cover my favorite team, and I imagine Langdon felt some of the same relief, probably vowing “Never Again!” when it comes to injury-prone players on max deals as he walked out of the Smoothie King Center.
That’s why I wasn’t the least bit surprised when insider Jake Fischer said that the Pelicans and Pistons haven’t had a single conversation about Ingram, and that according to his sources, BI does not represent the type of player the Pistons will target at the trade deadline.
They want someone who will complement Cade Cunningham, not take the ball out of his hands and Ingram can be a black hole on offense even though he is a good passer at times.
And when you factor in Ingram’s injury history, the fact that he is currently injured and no one has even seen him play since December 7th and his pending contract situation, the market for Ingram doesn’t look like it will be robust.
I think we can mercifully put this one to rest for the Pistons, as Langdon has been down that road and seen the results and has so far put a premium on availability.