The Detroit Pistons got their trade season started by dumping Marvin Bagley III and the $12.5 million they owe him for next season onto the Washington Wizards in exchange for two expiring contracts.
Fans should temper their excitement about the MBIII trade, though it will be nice not to have to watch Isaiah Livers play basketball anymore. Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala, the two players the Pistons got in the trade, are as likely to be bought out as they are to play a game with Detroit.
The Pistons are not likely finished making moves and could have something brewing with the New Orleans Pelicans, who are looking to make a minor splash at the trade deadline to improve their depth.
Detroit Pistons: The Pelicans want Alec Burks but there is a problem
According to Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, the Pelicans have expressed interest in trading for Alec Burks of the Detroit Pistons.
It makes perfect sense for New Orleans, as they could use more bench depth and shooting and Burks has been on fire after a lengthy slump. You know what you are getting with Burks, who is a guy who can get hot and knock down shots but isn't a great defender or playmaker.
The problem is that the Pelicans are trying to avoid the luxury tax, which is going to be difficult for them to do if they trade for Burks unless they have other moves lined up.
Many expected the Pels to unload Kira Lewis Jr. to get under the luxury tax and they could do it by trading for Burks, but they'd have to add assets to make it worth the Pistons' time.
Here are two trades that work financially, but the Pelicans would then have to figure out a way to shed more cash or pay the luxury tax.
Possible trade between Detroit Pistons and New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans need shooting around their two stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, neither of whom shoots many from long range. The Pels do shoot a high percentage as a team (38 percent) but are just 21st in the league in 3-pointers made per game.
Burks has been a 38.4 percent 3-point shooter for his career, always on good volume, so he's a nice fit off the bench with Trey Murphy III.
The Pistons need forwards and the Pelicans have one that might interest them.
Naji Marshall is a tough player with defensive versatility who has improved his shooting this season but is not a guy who is going to take a ton of 3-point shots.
He's a solid defender, who is good in transition and can make plays with the ball. Most importantly, he's a forward who can play all over the perimeter on defense and even some spot minutes at the four. Think of him as another Bruce Brown type whose main strengths are defense and versatility on both ends.
Lewis Jr. is likely headed to the G-League or going to get cut by whoever trades for him, as the Pistons would have to clear a roster spot for him otherwise.
None of these players are under contract for next season, so this move wouldn't help the Pistons unless they could convince Naji Marshall to re-sign as an unrestricted free agent.
This deal would also cost the Pelicans financially, as they'd be taking on salary instead of shedding it, potentially putting them into the luxury tax.
But there is another player who might interest Detroit and could get the money closer.
Possible Detroit Pistons trade with the New Orleans Pelicans
If the Pelicans wanted to get closer to getting under the luxury tax, they could send out a better player in exchange for Burks.
Daniels was the 8th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and has shown some promise on both ends, so this would be a lot to give up for a half season of Burks unless the Pelicans didn't like Daniels' future fit. This move would save the Pelicans around $1 million, so get them a step closer to getting under the luxury tax.
Daniels is similar to Ausar Thompson in that he's a very athletic player and good defender who can't shoot. The Pelicans already have one of those in Herb Jones who they already have under contract.
Would the Pelicans send Jones instead? If the Pistons took on both Kira Lewis Jr. and Herb Jones, the Pels would get under the tax easily while improving their outside shooting. This is even more unlikely, as Jones is already considered one of the league's best wing defenders and he has improved his long-range shooting to 37.6 percent this season, so Detroit would have to kick in additional assets.
All of this is a long way of saying that a trade for Alec Burks is going to cost the Pelicans either in terms of tax money or players, as they don't have the guys to match up financially without an overpay or getting a third team involved.