Grade the trade: Pistons send Magic a shooter in proposed deal

Grading proposed Detroit Pistons trade with the Orlando Magic

I wrote about Jett Howard earlier in the season as a possibility for Detroit, as he is still just 20 years old, and would practically represent a second first-round pick in this deal.

Howard was a lottery pick based on his shooting, as there are questions about his defense and motor. Otherwise, the 6-foot-8 forward ticks a lot of boxes for the Pistons. He is scoring over 21 points per game in the G-League this season while shooting 48.1 percent from the floor and 40.2 percent from long range on an outstanding 9.8 attempts per game.

Even though the Pistons are in year four of their rebuild and older than the Magic, Howard fits Detroit's timeline better and has a clearer path to minutes.

Ingles is just a throw-in to make the money work, though given Troy Weaver's affinity for aging white dudes, he could be the Joe Harris replacement next season (please no).

The pick, which would come from Denver, will likely be late in the first round, but with Howard included, the Pistons would be getting two young players or could use the pick to add as a sweetener in a bigger trade. Getting an extra 2025 pick would allow the Pistons to trade it even if the one they owe the Knicks doesn't convey this season, which it won't.

Would trading one proven veteran shooter who can't defend for a younger, unproven one move the needle for the Pistons? Probably not, but the pick would give them some fodder for future trades.

I don't love it given Howard's defensive red flags, as the Pistons don't need any more one-way players, and the fact that the pick will be at the end of the first round reduces its value, but it would superficially satisfy the Pistons' reported price tag for Bogdanovic.

Grade: C+