The Detroit Pistons were one of the most active teams in the NBA at this past trade deadline. After many fans feared that Detroit would simply “not feel they received fair offers”, they actually made moves that would result in eight former players no longer playing for Detroit. So how has each of them done since being dealt? Should Detroit have any seller's remorse on these guys? Let’s take a look.
Ex-Detroit Pistons and how they are doing now
Killian Hayes, Free Agent
After there were some rumors about a possible deal in which Killian Hayes would be relocated to a team in need of a young backup point guard, specifically San Antonio or Washington, Detroit wound up not finding any deal for the former lottery selection. The Pistons would waive Killian on February 8th, and to date, Killian has not been signed by any other team. For a guy who made up a large majority of Detroit’s minutes, there is a shocking lack of interest from other teams.
Danilo Gallinari, Milwaukee Bucks
While Gallinari’s stay in Detroit was short lived, his impact was quite palpable. After being acquired in the same deal that allowed Detroit to get out from under Marvin Bagley’s contract and sent both him and Isaiah Livers to Washington, Gallinari and his Wizards teammate Mike Muscala proved the need for a spacing big on this roster. Due to his age, Detroit made the decision to waive the veteran and allow him to sign with a contender. Gallinari would sign with the Milwaukee Bucks, and has 2.3 points, 1.2 rebounds, 0 percent three point shooting and a -2 +/- in just 10 minutes per game over his six total in Milwaukee.
Kevin Knox, Free Agent
Kevin Knox was dealt from Detroit at the deadline, as is tradition, to the Utah Jazz to bring sharp shooting 3-and-D player Simone Fontecchio to the Pistons. Knox was traded from Detroit at the deadline last season as well, and found his way back to start this season after he was waived by the Portland Trailblazers. It seems that this may be his same trajectory this season as Knox was waived by the Jazz shortly after acquiring him. He is currently a free agent, garnering little interest from contenders. The writing is on the wall with Kevin, he will likely return to Detroit to start next season and subsequently be flipped at the deadline once again. As mentioned, it’s tradition.
Isaiah Livers, Washington Wizards
Isaiah Livers, like Killian Hayes before him, was the center of a lot of controversy based on his minutes per game this season with Detroit. The young 3-and-D prospect seemed to be on Monty Williams’ good side, and saw the floor repeatedly even with his massive struggles. Also similar to Killian Hayes, the interest in the former Michigan man since being traded has proved fans right. After being dealt to Washington, Livers wasn’t waived, but has not logged a single minute in his 22 games for the last place Wizards. Another player who was constantly getting minutes for Detroit, can’t find the floor for a reasonable head coach.
Livers has now been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season with a hip injury.
The fact that both he and Killian Hayes were starting for the Detroit Pistons is an indictment of the team as well as Monty Williams.
Alec Burks, New York Knicks
Of the players we’ve covered so far, most were throw ins and/or smaller additions to other teams. The two big pieces that Detroit traded away were Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic. Both were dealt to New York in a deal that got Detroit coveted young 3-and-D prospect Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, and Malachi Flynn. Since joining the Knicks, Burks has seen his numbers drop drastically. His stat line has fallen to 8.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 32 percent from three, and 17.1 minutes per game. These are all down from his year in Detroit of 12.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 40 percent from three in 20 minutes per game.
Bojan Bogdanovic, New York Knicks
Along with Burks, Bogey was a major asset traded away from Detroit. His age and fit with this roster, tied to his averages this season of 20.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 42 percent from deep on 33 minutes per game made him a perfect sell candidate. In his eight games since moving to the Big Apple, Bogey is averaging 14 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 36 percent from deep. His offensive numbers have dipped slightly, which is understandable as he gets acclimated to his new franchise and teammates, but Knicks fans have already begun complaining about his defense, or lack thereof.
Monte Morris, Minnesota Timberwolves
Monte Morris, a Grand Rapids native, was brought in this past offseason to provide veteran leadership as well as minutes and perimeter shooting with the second unit. Due to an injury, Morris’ debut for his hometown Pistons was put on hold for a majority of the first half of the season. It’s because of this missed time, as well as the emergence of Marcus Sasser as a young backup point guard/bucket getter, that suddenly made Monte Morris expendable. In order to not limit Sassers’ development, Morris was traded to the Timberwolves for Shake Milton, Troy Brown, and a second round pick.
Since joining Minnesota, Morris is averaging 5.6 points, 3 assists, 1 stock, and 36 percent from three in a reserve role. If he can increase his percentage from deep slightly, this is likely exactly what the Timberwolves were hoping for. For Detroit, Sasser’s minutes and development were more important than Monte’s production.
Mike Muscala, Oklahoma City Thunder
Mike Muscala was acquired with Danilo Gallinari, providing the same benefits that his fellow former Wizards stretch big man did. As mentioned with Gallinari, both these players provided Detroit with something they did not previously have, and showed how badly Detroit needed it. When Gallinari was waived, it was not much of a shock due to his age and the likelihood of not being re-signed by the Pistons this offseason. Muscala, however, is three years younger than Danilo. I felt that Muscala would have been a good veteran piece for the Pistons to keep around for the next few years to provide a stretch big presence.
Unfortunately for Pistons fans, Troy Weaver is on record that he always wants to do right by his players, so when Muscala requested he be given the opportunity to join a contender, Muscala suddenly fell out of the rotation and was subsequently waived. Since leaving Detroit on February 28th, Mike has signed with the young, exciting and dominant Oklahoma City Thunder. He’s played just one game for OKC, putting up five points, three rebounds, and shot 33 percent from deep.
Shake Milton, New York Knicks
Shake Milton was acquired with Troy Brown from the Timberwolves in exchange for Monte Morris. In his four games seeing the court for Detroit, Shake averaged 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and connected from deep at 33 percent. Milton, however, was just bought out by Detroit on March 1st and has joined the New York Knicks.