Back in 2023, then Detroit Pistons GM Troy Weaver was trying to figure out what to do with Saddiq Bey.
Bey was looking for a lucrative extension that Weaver didn’t want to give him, so he ended up trading Bey to the Hawks in a five-team deal that brought back James Wiseman.
In case you just started following the Pistons, spoiler alert, but that didn’t work out well for Detroit.
Wiseman was ineffective and hurt a lot of the time, but it was hard for Detroit to regret their decision, as Bey got hurt too and had to miss an entire season right as he was traded to the Wizards.
It didn’t look like Bey was going to make it in the NBA either, but he got a second life when he was included in another big trade involving Troy Weaver, this time as GM of the Pelicans.
Bey seemed like a throw-in to the deal, but ended up being the centerpiece, as he had the best season of his career last season, averaging just under 18 points per game, 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 46/36/84 shooting splits.
Bey still isn’t the most athletic guy in the world, and he’s not going to beat anyone off the bounce, but he can get buckets and is a tough cover because of his size.
Troy Weaver is now in the same position, only this time Bey has leverage as one of the best value contracts in the league. He’s going to get a raise from someone, and Weaver won’t be treated as fairly if he lets Bey walk again.
I wouldn’t count Saddiq Bey in the top 50 “what-ifs” for the Pistons over the years, but his career arc has been fascinating to watch, which makes me wonder how things might have turned out if Detroit had just kept him.
What if the Detroit Pistons had just kept Saddiq Bey?
I actually saw some fans calling for the team to trade for Bey last trade deadline when Detroit was desperate to add a secondary scoring option.
I don’t think you can consider Bey at that level after one big season on a terrible team, as he was getting way more touches and shot than he ever would have on Detroit.
But Bey’s rebounding and playmaking are much better than advertised, as he was strictly considered a 3-and-D guy by most people coming out of college and even after his first couple of seasons in the league.
To his credit, Bey added to his game and has made himself a more well-rounded player. I still don’t know if there would be a spot for him on the Pistons, who like more speed and athleticism now, but they certainly could have used him last season at times.
It seems like deja vu to see Weaver and Bey in the news again for the same reason. If I know Weaver, he’ll either let Bey walk for nothing or overpay him, so I can’t wait to see how this turns out. Sorry in advance, New Orleans.
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