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.
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.
#1: Pistons trade with the Bulls for Zach LaVine
If the Pistons could land LaVine without giving up Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey or Ausar Thompson, they would have to consider it, as for all of his flaws on defense and when it comes to staying healthy, LaVine is still a very good player who would make the Pistons better.
Would the Bulls give in and trade him without getting one of the "blue chippers" in return?
In this trade, the Pistons cough up two expiring contracts and former first-round pick Marcus Sasser in exchange for LaVine.
This would allow the Pistons to bring Ivey off the bench as the primary scoring option and add to their overall depth.
It may be a pipe dream to think the Bulls would give up LaVine for so little a return, as they would at least want Bojan Bogdanovic instead of Joe Harris, but how desperate are they to get off his contract? The Pistons should play hardball here, as there aren't many other teams interested in LaVine who also have a better offer to put on the table. Chicago should have zero leverage.
If OKC wanted to get involved, it's over anyway, as they can throw in draft picks that the Pistons don't have. Detroit could sweeten the pot with their 2nd-round pick for this year that comes via Washington, which will be a borderline first-round pick.
I have been on the record many times as saying I don't think LaVine is the answer, but if you can get him for this package it makes his contract and injury concerns more palatable and it's unlikely the Pistons are going to be able to land a player of his caliber in free agency anyway.
But what if Detroit gets crazy and includes one of the "Core Four," could it still work in their favor?
#2: Pistons trade with the Bulls for Zach LaVine
If the Detroit Pistons are going to get nuts and include one of their young players, then they should ask for more from the Chicago Bulls.
In this trade, the Bulls also send veteran forward Torrey Craig, who is a favorite of coach Monty Williams and the type of 3-and-D forward the Pistons could use on a lowball deal that extends through next season. Would this be enough to include Ivey?
The Pistons could also ask for forward Patrick Williams, who was a pre-draft favorite of Troy Weaver and has been playing better of late, with his 3-point percentage just under 40 percent.
Giving up on Ivey would sting, but LaVine is arguably a better fit and is certainly a better player at this stage in their respective careers, when healthy, which is always the caveat with LaVine.
It would give the Pistons a depth chart that looked like this, which is closer to the balance they need and would set them up to add better role players in the summer:
-Cade Cunningham/Monte Morris
-Zach LaVine/Alec Burks/Marcus Sasser
-Bojan Bogdanovic/Ausar Thompson
-Isaiah Stewart/Torrey Craig
-Jalen Duren/Mike Muscala
This team still has flaws but is better balanced than the current roster and has better shooting and defense in both units.
It may be a moot point if the Pistons and Bulls can't find common ground, as Detroit would love to add LaVine if the price is right and Chicago has to decide if getting off his contract is worth giving up a former All-Star for a meager return.