The Detroit Pistons are in a very interesting position. Sitting atop a very weak Eastern Conference, they have never been in a better position to reach the NBA Finals. Pushing their chips onto the table could give them an even better chance to do so, but the wrong move could also haunt them. That’s exactly the risk of a Jaren Jackson Jr. trade.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype recently reported that the Pistons, along with the Boston Celtics, are interested in a potential deal with the Memphis Grizzlies: “Amid Ja Morant trade talks, Jaren Jackson Jr. remains a player the Memphis Grizzlies want to build with, according to an ESPN report. However, that stance hasn’t stopped various teams across the league from registering interest in Jackson Jr, including the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, league sources told HoopsHype.”
A trade for Jackson would be a massive gamble.
A Pistons trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. would be dangerous
In theory, Jackson is a perfect fit in Detroit. He plays a position that they could use an upgrade at, despite Tobias Harris’ success with the Pistons, and he would take their defense to another level.
Detroit already has one of the best defenses in basketball, so adding a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate to the mix would make them even better.
Plus, with Cade Cunningham directing things on the offensive end, Jackson could be in the best possible situation to succeed as a three-point shooter and a rim-roller.
Slotting him into a starting lineup next to Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren would create one of the most physically imposing yet well-rounded lineups in the NBA. A trade for Jackson would undoubtedly make them favorites to come out of the East while also giving them a better chance at taking down the West.
That said, it’s not all positive when it comes to trading for Jackson.
His contract is massive. Though he’s only making $35 million this year, he’s under contract for four more years after this one for $49 million, $50.5 million, $52 million, and then a $53.5 million player option.
If Jackson doesn’t end up being an ideal fit with the Pistons, they could struggle to get off his money. Plus, having that type of contract on the books makes it very hard to add any significant pieces, especially since the Pistons would likely become a second-apron team pretty quickly.
So, on the one hand, adding Jackson could be exactly what the Pistons need. On the other, it could blow up in their faces.