Grade the trade: Pistons clean up in proposed deal with Knicks

One of the most interesting subplots for the Detroit Pistons this season is how new team president Trajan Langdon will deal with the young players he inherited. 

Other than Ron Holland II and Bobi Klintman, Langdon had nothing to do with any of the young players on the roster. He did extend Cade Cunningham, so you’d expect him to stick around, but other than that, we are in wait-and-see mode with all of the Pistons’ youngsters. 

Langdon will be patient as he evaluates talent and fit with a better veteran cast next season, but he won’t hesitate to trade players if the right deal comes along, as another season of wheel-spinning isn’t going to help the value of guys like Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey. 

There is one team out there that seems like a logical fit with the Pistons and that is the New York Knicks. 

Detroit Pistons dealing with the Knicks 

The Knicks recently got news that Mitchell Robinson will likely be out until January, which puts a dent in NY’s already thin center ranks according to new Knicks’ beat writer James Edwards III (subscription). 

After losing Isaiah Hartenstein to free agency, the Knicks are a team without a starting center, as they are left with just tweener big man Precious Achiuwa and unproven Jericho Sims. 

The Pistons have their own question marks at center, but unlike the Knicks, Detroit isn’t under any pressure to win this season (sigh). New York has championship aspirations, so may need to address the center position. 

Even if Robinson were to return on time (I wouldn’t bet on that) he has a lengthy injury history that has cost him over 120 games in the last four seasons. 

Could the Knicks call Detroit about one of their bigs?