Upside trade that could age extremely well for the Pistons

Fans are hoping for a star acquisition this summer for the Detroit Pistons, but they should also be looking to add quality depth and shooting on the wing and could target a young player with upside like Julian Strawther. 

The Nuggets are a team to watch this summer, as they have a financial crunch if they want to keep breakout wing Peyton Watson that could force them into other trades to clear money. 

Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson have all been mentioned as possible trade candidates, but all have flaws whether it is age, salary or ability to stay on the floor. 

But the Nuggets have another option in 6-foot-6 wing Julian Strawther, who hasn’t been able to carve out a consistent role for himself in Denver. 

Strawther would give the Pistons an upside wing who can shoot 

The Pistons don’t currently employ a wing player who can shoot, and if the playoffs have shown us anything, it’s that ball handling and shooting are important areas where the Pistons have to improve. 

Strawther came into the league as a shooter, as he was a high-volume guy in college who shot over 40 percent from long range. But he’s yet to have a consistent role in Denver, a team that is loaded at his position. 

He’s a player who could thrive in a bigger role, which he isn’t likely to get in Denver unless they make other moves. In 57 games this season, Strawther shot 38 percent from long range and 47 percent from the floor, the best splits of his career, and at just 24 years old, he may be ready for more. I could see him having the type of breakout that Julian Champagnie has had for the Spurs this year.

Strawther needs to improve defensively, though he does have quick hands and decent length for a shooting guard/wing player, but he would give the Pistons a shooter on the wing, which is something they don’t have, he’s on a cheap deal, and might not cost much in a trade. 

Pistons trade for Julian Strawther 

The problem with Strawther is that he’s the exact type of player good teams don’t want to give up, as he contributes on a rookie deal and allows them to invest more money in the top of the payroll. 

He’ll be making $4.8 million next season, and the Nuggets may see him as a possible cheap replacement if they have to trade Braun.  

The Pistons could send the Nuggets a couple of second-round picks, which would net Denver some much-needed cap space, but that alone may not be enough to get them to move off Strawther. 

If they wanted a cheap replacement, Marcus Sasser is an option, as Denver could use the guard depth, and the Pistons need help on the wing. Both guys are being blocked at the moment and could thrive in new environments. 

The Pistons need to sniff out some value deals to go along with whatever big moves they make, as they need more quality depth, size and guys who can shoot. 

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