When it was reported that Anthony Davis wanted out of the mess in Dallas, we knew it wouldn’t be long before the fake trades started flying, I just didn’t think any of them would involve the Detroit Pistons.
I was wrong of course, as Kevin O’ Connor of Yahoo Sports put a Pistons’ trade proposal in his top tier of possibilities that “make sense.” I am going to wholeheartedly disagree with that assessment, but here is the trade he proposed:
While I do agree that the Mavericks should probably blow it up, it’s hard to see either team being interested in this trade. Dallas just made AD the centerpiece of a trade where they gave up LUKA DONCIC, a move that got their GM fired and compelled their owner to write an apology. It's hard to see them just giving Davis up, considering what they lost to acquire him.
But it's also true for the Pistons, who are building something special and don’t need Anthony Davis spoiling it.
Detroit Pistons: Just say no to Anthony Davis
I should first admit that I have recently suggested the Pistons might circle back around to Zach LaVine at some point, another oft-injured player on a huge contract. The difference is that LaVine is three years younger, has been healthy recently, and has only one year left on his deal after this one.
Meanwhile, 32-year-old Anthony Davis is hurt as we speak. A report today from The Athletic (subscription) claimed that he was told he could tear his Achilles if he came back too soon, so this is a guy who is on the verge of a season-ending injury, which is something you can almost always say about him.
He’s played just 56 games combined between last season and this one, has a multitude of historic leg injuries, and now has to wear protective goggles.
In addition to being a massive injury risk, Davis is owed between $54-62 million for the remainder of this season plus two more. You could maybe live with the injury risk if he were on an expiring deal (like Tobias Harris) or even had one year left, but two is a tough pill to swallow, especially since he’ll be extension eligible after this one.
I can see the allure, as Davis is one of the best players in the league when healthy, you just never know when or if that is going to happen.
Given their cap situation, along with the growing list of untouchable young players on the roster, the Pistons are only going to get one shot at a huge trade, and there has to be a more reliable option out there than Davis. Keep in mind that Trajan Langdon already went through years as Zion Williamson’s GM and likely wants no part of any player with a long injury history.
On paper, this might even look like a steal for the Pistons, who are only giving up two guys who are currently hurt, a role player, and two picks that will probably be in the 20’s. Davis is a difference maker, there is no doubt, but are we even sure he’s a fit?
Davis is a center masquerading as a forward, as he’s a terrible 3-point shooter (under 30 percent for his career) and likes to occupy the same exact space currently taken up by the Cade Cunningham/Jalen Duren pick and roll.
Given his shooting this season, you could argue that Isaiah Stewart is a better fit if you want to play a second big man with Duren.
Davis is an iffy fit on the court before you even get to the injuries and contract.
If you could guarantee bubble AD for a few seasons, this might be appealing, but no one on Earth can do that, especially not anyone with a medical degree.
The Pistons are building on chemistry, and this is the exact type of trade that could blow it up if things don’t go well, and Davis starts pouting, which he has everywhere he’s been.
It’s a hard pass for me. This team is 10-2 and building something special that AD could easily destroy.