Will playoff disappointment help the Detroit Pistons?

The Detroit Pistons’ offseason is at a standstill while they search for a new president of basketball operations but that hasn’t stopped speculation. 

The Pistons could benefit from the fallout from the NBA playoffs depending on how they shake out and there has already been plenty of star power bounced in the first round on teams that may use their first-round exit as a reason to go in another direction. 

The Phoenix Suns were swept, and Pistons fans immediately started dreaming of Devin Booker, but you’ll probably have to keep dreaming, as there are plenty of teams that could offer more than the Pistons if the Suns’ star were made available, which is unlikely anyway. 

The New Orleans Pelicans were also swept in the first round, a disappointing finish to a promising season that pretty much ended for New Orleans as soon as Zion Williamson got injured, a common theme for them. 

No one stepped up in his absence and the Pels failed to average 90 points per game in the series against OKC.  

Will more playoff disappointment cause the Pelicans to go in another direction? 

Detroit Pistons and New Orleans Pelicans as trade partners 

We’ve talked about the possibility of targeting Brandon Ingram in a trade, and this outcome may have made it more likely. New Orleans seems to have hit a ceiling with Zion and Ingram, two players who never seem to be healthy at the same time and have yet to win a playoff series.

Ingram will be entering the final year of his deal, and the Pelicans already have big money tied up in CJ McCollum, Zion and soon to be Trey Murphy III. 

Ingram’s contract situation coupled with his disappointing playoff performance could push down his price compared to other star players fans and media have speculated about. 

But Ingram does have some red flags other than his contract. He’s missed a lot of games over his career, failing to play 65 games in all but his rookie season. 

He also likes to operate in the mid-range, playing the role of point forward as a playmaker and scorer in a similar area where Cade Cunningham likes to be. Ingram has shown he can be more of a 3-point shooter, as he shot 39 percent on over six attempts per game in the best season of his career, but he’s gone away from that in recent seasons, with his attempts dropping to 3.8 per game this year. 

Ingram was efficient, hitting nearly 50 percent from the floor and may be inclined to take more 3-point shots with a real point guard setting him up, as he has shared initiating duties with both Zion and CJ McCollum on the Pelicans, a team that lacks a true point guard in the starting five. 

Cunningham and Ingram are smart players, so I am sure they could make it work, so now we wait to see if he becomes available and if the Pistons have any interest. Ingram will be a hot name in trade rumors and is one to watch as the draft approaches.