The Detroit Pistons have been active in talks leading up to the NBA trade deadline, but so far there has been plenty of smoke and no fire.
Most recently, rumors of a trade for Zach LaVine have resurfaced and those talks are ongoing according to several sources. I went through the Pros and Cons of trading for LaVine and it's as easy to argue for him as it is to say Detroit should stay far away.
For me, it depends on what the Pistons have to give up in the trade, as LaVine is probably better than any player they are going to land in free agency and would make this team better as long as the cost isn't too high.
The cost is the sticking point between the two teams, as Chicago reportedly wants one of the Pistons' "Core Four" while Detroit is hoping to get LaVine for a deal built around expiring contracts.
Some recent news may put the ball squarely in Detroit's court.
Zach LaVine's injury gives leverage to the Detroit Pistons
According to a recent article in the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls aren't eager to give LaVine away for nothing just to get off his contract and would like to wait around to see if any teams desperate for a shooting guard enter the bidding against the Pistons to drive up the price.
But according to the article, it's unlikely that LaVine even plays before the trade deadline, as he is nursing an ankle injury that will keep him out for at least a week, which could scare off any Johnny-come-lately contenders who might jump into the fray if LaVine were fully healthy.
It doesn't matter as much for the Pistons, who can now stand there with their expiring contracts and tell the Bulls they aren't getting anything else.
Detroit has all of the leverage here and has to play hardball. If the Bulls really want to get off LaVine's contract that badly, then they will eventually cave. If they don't, then the price is too high anyway and the Pistons should simply walk away.
LaVine could be a nice addition if the Pistons can keep most of their young players and trade assets, especially when you consider the alternatives in free agency, but if LaVine comes at the cost of Jaden Ivey, his contract and injury issues become bigger red flags.