The Detroit Pistons are a team living on the margins.
They are on pace to lose 50 games, but are still in the thick of the hunt for the play-in tournament in the medicore Eastern Conference, which is likely to get even worse before the season is over.
Teams like Brooklyn, Chicago and Charlotte could start selling off parts to Sag for Flagg, which would increase the Pistons’ chances of a play-in appearance even if they have a terrible record overall.
The Pacers are a team to watch, as they have the same record as Detroit, but made the Eastern Conference Finals last season and would like to go back, so they are more likely to add a piece or two than to trade them away.
Shams Charania mentioned Indiana as a team that will be looking for help at the deadline in his latest batch of NBA trade rumors (subscription) and there is a chance the Pistons will be involved.
NBA trade rumors: Pistons could move a center to the Pacers
The Pacers are off to a disappointing start, but haven’t really gotten going yet, as their star Tyrese Haliburton has been dealing with a hamstring issue that has held them back.
They’ve also suffered injuries, specifically to their center ranks, which is where Charania thinks they could be looking for help:
“After losing centers James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson to Achilles tendon tears, the Pacers are actively pursuing a backup 5, sources said.”
If the Pacers are looking for a backup five, the Pistons happen to have a pretty good one in Paul Reed, who rarely plays. Reed hasn’t gotten consistent run behind Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, but has made plays when he has gotten in, as he’s always active around the rim on both ends.
Reed also has a very movable contract, as it’s not fully guaranteed until January 10th for this season and has similar guarantees for the next one, so a team can take him on without any long-term obligations.
Reed showed he can be a competent backup last season in that role for Philly when Joel Embiid went down.
There is definitely a potential fit here that connects these rumors to the Pistons.
But it leads to a couple of questions.
Do the Pistons want to help a division rival?
The Pacers and Pistons have the same record currently and are starting to re-ignite their rivalry after a couple of heated games this season.
The Pacers are ahead of the Pistons when it comes to playoff timeline, but they aren’t that far apart, so why would the Pistons want to help them?
They only would if it were worth their while, which brings me to the next question.
What could the Pacers trade the Pistons for Paul Reed?
Reed isn’t going to fetch the Pistons a big haul, but there will likely be several teams looking for big-man help at the deadline, so Detroit may end up in a good position with several interested buyers.
I’m sure one or more of them would give up a second-round pick for Reed, but in Indiana’s case, they’d have to send back matching salaries.
The Pacers do have two expiring deals in Jackson and James Johnson to go along with two extra second-round picks added to their own in 2025. Both of the other picks have heavy protections, so in the end you have to wonder if this would even be worth it for the Pistons.
But Reed is definitely a player to watch when it comes to Indiana, who may have to come with an above-market offer to get the Pistons to move him to a rival.