Pros and Cons of trading for Zach LaVine for the Detroit Pistons
The NBA trade deadline is staring the Detroit Pistons in the face and rumors are flying about what they are going to do.
The most polarizing rumor is has the Pistons potentially trading for Zach LaVine, who is a former All-Star who comes with big red flags when it comes to defense, contract and injuries.
But with a thin group of upcoming free agents, this might be the Pistons' best chance to land an impact player, though the cost of doing so could be painful.
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It's as easy to talk yourself into the idea of LaVine as it is to dismiss it entirely, so let's look at some of the potential pros and cons of LaVine when it comes to winning, fit and money.
Pros and cons of trading for Zach LaVine for the Detroit Pistons: Winning
Pros
The Detroit Pistons are the worst team in the NBA and have been for two straight seasons. They already suffered the worst losing streak in NBA history and are going nowhere except back to the lottery.
LaVine would almost certainly make them better, even if they had to give up Jaden Ivey to get him, as he's a proven scorer who can help spread the floor around Cade Cunningham and make it easier for the Pistons to play with both Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren on the floor. Get LaVine and the Pistons are no longer the worst team in the league.
Cons
What evidence is there that Zach LaVine affects winning? He has enjoyed exactly one winning season in his 9+ year career, when the Bulls won 46 games in 2021-22.
Other than that, LaVine has won 16, 29, 31, 27, 22, 22, 31 and 40 games in his career. The Bulls are currently 21-25 and have played better without him. You can't put the fate of any team on one player, but LaVine's teams have not won. He hasn't won with better teammates in Chicago, so what makes you think he'll win in Detroit?
It would be just as likely that LaVine would phone it in (as he's been accused of in Chicago) looking for another trade. There is a reason the Bulls are so desperate to trade LaVine, as they haven't won squat with him.