3 Forgotten players the Detroit Pistons could target in trades

Dec 23, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward AJ Griffin (14) dunks the ball against the Detroit Pistons
Dec 23, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward AJ Griffin (14) dunks the ball against the Detroit Pistons / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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AJ Griffin

Griffin was the 16th pick in the 2022 draft and it looked as though the Hawks got a steal after he had a solid rookie year where he averaged nine points and two rebounds on 39 percent shooting from long range as a 19-year-old.

He had a stretch in December 2023 when he scored in double digits in 10-of-11 games, averaging 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the month on red-hot shooting.

For whatever reason, Griffin has fallen out of the Hawks' rotation this season and has only played in 18 games.

Griffin is a 6-foot-6 wing who has shown he can shoot the lights out and he's only 20 years old, so represents the type of player the Pistons should take a flyer on if they are going this route at the trade deadline. He shot just under 45 percent from long range in his one year at Duke, so this would basically be like getting a first-round pick.

The cost for Griffin shouldn't be too high, as the Hawks are looking to shed future salary (he has one more guaranteed year and a team option), so he may be gettable for an expiring contract and a second-round pick.

If the Pistons can't get a first-round pick for Alec Burks, Griffin may be the next best thing, as he is still very young and has shown the type of skillset the Detroit Pistons need.

These are not moves that are going to move the needle for the Pistons, but with little left to play for this season, they may as well try some different guys and see if one of them sticks.

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