The Detroit Pistons didn’t add a second scoring option in the offseason, but could look to strike at the trade deadline, and Norman Powell is a name we are certain to hear.
We’re actually hearing it already as The Third Apron podcast named him as a possible deadline target in their season preview of Detroit.
Powell might not be the first choice, as the Pistons have the currency to go after a guy like Trey Murphy III, which would likely take the contract of Duncan Robinson along with Ron Holland/Kevin Huerter to match salary before we even get to the picks.
If the Pistons think that too steep, they could turn to Powell, who is not as young or dynamic, but is a proven 20+ppg scorer who shoots lights out on high volume from 3-point range.
Powell will likely be all over the rumor mill unless the Bulls are surprisingly good, as he’s a known veteran who many teams could use, and not on the same timeline as the young players Chicago is trying to build around.
He also has a contract that could make him even more appealing to Detroit.
Norman Powell is a safe, short-term option
I have said all summer that the Pistons may not need to go star hunting, as they are going to get some internal improvement that could put them right back on top of the Eastern Conference.
But we know things change in the playoffs, which is when a guy like Powell, who can play off the ball or get his own shot in isolation, becomes more important.
Powell also has a team-friendly deal that pays him $21.5 million this season and has a team option for a second year.
That’s a number that is easy for the Pistons to match in a trade without gutting their roster, and it doesn’t come with any long-term obligations if things don’t work out.
The way the Pistons have structured Jalen Duren’s deal means they have a year to toy around without much risk before Ausar Thompson’s extension kicks in, so adding a player like Powell at the deadline may be a no-brainer if the price is right.
The Pistons have multiple expiring or non-guaranteed contracts to go along with control of all of their future draft picks, so they are in a good position to add an impact player without depleting their resources too much.
We are going to hear every name from Kyrie Irving to Kevin Durant to Trey Murphy III connected to the Pistons this season, but they may end up pursuing a lower risk option that doesn’t hurt their long-term flexibility if they miss out on the bigger names.
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