The Pistons should be engaging in trade talks with the Mavericks, but not for Anthony Davis. Instead, they should target veteran sharpshooter Klay Thompson, whose shooting threat would perfectly round out the team. The Pistons have been searching every avenue for added shooting, and Thompson's presence can provide just that.
Klay Thompson is still a deadly shooter
Thompson is 35 years old, but still maintains the skills that made him a multi-time All-Star and champion. His biggest strength has always been his elite outside shooting, and he's finding that touch again. Thompson struggled from deep to start the season, but is showing that an adequate point guard can make him a deadly sniper once again.
In his last 6 games, Klay has bounced back to shoot 45% from three on nearly 8 attempts per game. It's no coincidence that Ryan Nembhard, a rookie surprise and legitimate point guard, has played significant minutes in those games. Imagine what an even better playmaker like Cade Cunningham could do for Klay.
Of course, even when he's not hitting shots, Klay will inevitably provide spacing because he's so respected as a shooter. After all, he's fifth all-time in most threes made. Currently, the only Piston capable of having a similar impact is Duncan Robinson. But the offense often craters when Robinson needs to sit or miss a game because nobody else on the team is a similar outside threat.
Thompson can be that additional threat and back up Robinson to give the Pistons some respectable shooting on the court at all times. His off-ball threat will open up driving lanes for the Pistons' athletic slashers. Last season, he proved himself as a shooter outside the Warriors' system by shooting 39% from deep despite playing half the season after his team traded away their lead playmaker.
And Klay can still hold his own on defense too. He's got the second-lowest defensive rating of rotation players on the Mavericks this season. He's also holding opponents to just 35.6% as the primary defender, the very best mark in the NBA for players with more than 5 games played. Klay's two-way value can give the Pistons the ideal depth piece that they missed in free agency.
The Pistons have reiterated time and time again the importance of patience in the trade market. Rather than mortgaging their future for a big name, they've preferred to make veteran upgrades around the edges. Klay Thompson may be a future Hall of Famer, but he's not going to cost a huge trade package at this stage in his career. Adding him to an already thriving team can give the Pistons another capable shooter and defender that will only complement their young players.