Grade the trade: Pistons make desperate, risky move in proposed deal

Fans of the Detroit Pistons are waiting patiently (sort of) for the team to hire a new president of basketball operations, a process that has yet to yield a single interview. 

Did I mention we are more than midway through May? 

When the Pistons finally do hire someone, that person will have a tall task in front of them and not much time to get it done as they are preparing for the draft, free agency and trades that could remake the roster. 

One of the first decisions will be which young players are considered cornerstones and which are expendable in a deal. 

The Pistons will be targeting proven help if they trade any of their young players, but should they be desperate to do so? That depends. 

Should the Detroit Pistons trade one of their young players? 

The answer to this is yes and no. 

If the right deal is presented and the Pistons can trade one or more of their young guys to get a better fit and more impact around Cade Cunningham, then they have to consider it.  

But they can’t do so for a player who doesn’t move the needle, as the franchise can’t stomach watching another young player go off and become an All-Star on another team while the Pistons are still in the cellar. 

A recent trade proposal walks the line between smart and desperation and may just come down to how the new president feels about certain players.