2 Zach LaVine trades that could work for the Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are at the center of myriad NBA trade rumors as the February trade deadline draws closer.
The Pistons have to decide if they want to be buyers and take the risk that comes associated with trading for a big contract, to sell off their parts to the highest bidder and wait until after the season or to do nothing at all, which would be the choice that would most upset a fanbase desperate for something new.
It's a tough call for Detroit, as most of the players on the trade market come with red flags in the form of fit, contract, injuries or all of the above.
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But there is one rumor that won't seem to die and has gained steam over the last few days.
Will the Detroit Pistons trade for Zach LaVine?
You won't find many more polarizing players on the trade market than Zach LaVine. Some fans think it would just be Blake Griffin 2.0, while others think the Pistons have little to lose in adding a former All-Star, even one with LaVine's obvious flaws.
Most recently, Marc Stein (Subscription) reported that talks are still ongoing between the Pistons and Bulls.
This was after James Edwards III first reported that the Bulls were hoping to land one of the Pistons' "Core Four" in the trade, which has been a nonstarter for Detroit, who would like to land LaVine, but only at the cost of expiring contracts.
Let's look at two trade possibilities, one that does not include a "Core Four" member and one that does.