The Hawks are in a tough rebuilding spot since trading Trae Young to the Wizards, and it could create an opening for the Pistons to acquire shooter Vit Krejci for cheap. Krejci has flown under the radar all season, but it quietly having a great shooting year. He can be an excellent minor addition to address Detroit's most pressing needs.
The Pistons need another shooter like Krejci
This season, Krejci is shooting 42.5% from three on 5.5 attempts per game. It's a continuation of his great shooting throughout his career; he's shot over 40% from deep in each of the last three seasons. He's one of numerous options that could add shooting to the Pistons without taking away from their strong defense.
Although his shooting is the main draw, Krejci is also capable of holding his own on defense. He's listed at 6'8', which is great size for a movement shooter. When motivated, he's shown great energy on defense and leveraged his size to make plays. In Detroit, the Pistons would definitely bring out the best in him defensively.
And Krejci has an underrated drive game that complements his shooting well. When teams run him off the line, he is capable of attacking the rim. He's flashed some nice finishes himself or passes to others that adds more versatility to his playstyle. The development is similar to the one Duncan Robinson had shown in recent seasons before joining the Pistons.
The Pistons are not keen on making a blockbuster move at the trade deadline, and understandably so. They are already leading the East and could make a deep playoff run without any trades. But Krejci would be a great acquisition to improve the roster construction for now and the future. He's only 25 years old, so he fits perfectly with the Pistons' timeline centered around Cade Cunningham (who is 24 himself).
The Hawks have been linked to different trade rumors since shipping out Young, including some potential huge names like Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Any deal for a player of that magnitude will likely involve multiple assets and may need additional teams to facilitate salaries. If the Pistons can sneak into the fray and pick up Krejci, it'll be an opportunistic win for Detroit.
The Pistons aren't in the market for a big name themselves, but they can definitely still benefit from a huge trade. If the Hawks are desperate or just sellers in general, the Pistons should do their best to snatch Vit Krejci. He's not a household name, but Krejci checks many of the boxes that the Pistons need in another depth piece. He can be a great addition to the team ahead of the playoffs.