Should the Detroit Pistons be following the Hornets' lead?

With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, the Detroit Pistons are going to have some big decisions to make that will affect the future of the franchise.

Detroit came into this season with aspirations of making the play-in tournament, but those aspirations were delusions, and injuries and a poorly constructed roster ended those dreams quickly.

So do the Pistons double down on trying to salvage something from this season by being buyers at the deadline, or do they try to net future assets, tuck their tails between their legs and slink off with their cap space until next offseason?

The decision is exacerbated by Troy Weaver's need to improve the roster now to secure his job and the fact that there aren't many enticing free agents.

The Hornets came into the season with similar aspirations and have gotten similar results, as they are just 10-31 and once again talking about rebuilding for the 800th time.

But unlike Detroit, Charlotte has already chosen how to proceed from here.

The Charlotte Hornets are selling at the NBA trade deadline, should the Detroit Pistons follow?

Yesterday, the Hornets made a big trade, dealing veteran guard Terry Rozier to the Miami Heat for an expiring contract (Kyle Lowry) and a future first-round pick that is lottery-protected in 2027 and completely unprotected the following season if it doesn't convey.

And the Hornets aren't done there, as Adrian Wojnarowski reported, some of their other veteran players are likely next as Charlotte tries to re-tool around their young core, add draft assets and clear future money obligations.

This trade may have set the market for what the Pisotns can expect to get out of Alec Burks and/or Bojan Bogdanovic at the trade deadline. Rozier is younger and better than either of them, but Burks and Bogdanovic don't come with future salary obligations, which should balance it out.

I doubt the Pistons will get more for either of them, but there is an argument that they should be trying, as making impact additions that cost young players and future draft assets looks like sheer desperation for a team that is currently 4-39 with less than half a season remaining.

Normally no one would say, "Do what the Hornets are doing," but in this case, the Pistons might heed that advice unless the right deal comes along.

Right now, the Pistons don't have the assets to make a big trade, so adding draft picks should be a priority so that Detroit has the firepower to make the type of trade they really need. That will mean some tough decisions, but if they can move one of Burks or Bogdanovic at the deadline for a first-round pick, they should follow Charlotte's lead and start reloading.