With the NBA trade deadline rapidly approaching, the Detroit Pistons have been consistently connected to big-name players in rumors even though they have indicated they are not interested in disrupting things too much. A player like Precious Achiuwa of the Kings makes a lot more sense in this context.
Trajan Langdon is in a tough spot, as the Eastern Conference is wide open and he doesn’t want to miss an opportunity, but he also doesn’t want to do anything drastic before he knows more about his young team, which is the same approach Sam Presti took two years ago with the Thunder.
Detroit isn’t going to trade Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren or Ausar Thompson, and it would likely take a monster addition for them to even consider moving on from Isaiah Stewart or Ron Holland II, so it would be difficult for them to make an impact trade without giving up a player that they don’t want to lose.
But the Pistons could tinker around the fringes and there are options that would add important depth without costing the Pistons anything that would disrupt their chemistry.
Precious Achiuwa could provide important depth for the Detroit Pistons
Precious Achiuwa is an interesting name to watch, as he falls into the category of rotation players that wouldn’t cost much to acquire. He’s on a minimum deal for the Kings, who are currently tied for the fewest wins in the Western Conference.
You assume that anyone on the dumpster fire roster the Kings have built is available and the Pistons could likely get him without giving up anyone who actually plays.
This is where the recently fully-guaranteed contract of Isaac Jones could come in handy, as the Kings were the team that originally signed him and could take him back along with a second-round pick to grease the wheels.
The Pistons have a load of extra second-rounders, so it wouldn’t cost them anything of value and Achiuwa is a guy who can actually play.
He’s a solid defender who can play both big man spots, which is something the Pistons could use with all of the injuries they currently have. Detroit was forced to use two-way center Tolu Smith (who played well) in the last game, so they are already digging deep into their reserves.
Achiuwa appeared in eight games for the Knicks in last year’s playoffs, so you know he’s at least a guy you can trust, at least more than some of their current options.
The only issue with Achiuwa is that he can’t be traded until after February 4th, so Detroit would have to wait right up until the trade deadline to do it.
This would not be the blockbuster deal some fans are hoping for, but Achiuwa could help the Pistons withstand further injuries and provide some much-needed power forward depth.