The Detroit Pistons could be busy at the trade deadline and at least one NBA pundit thinks they should pursue Trey Murphy III.
Zach Lowe said he would try to trade Jaden Ivey, Tobias Harris and up to three first round picks and possible additional swaps for TMIII on a recent episode of his podcast.
He's not the first to name TMIII as a possible trade target and we've certainly discussed the idea in the past.
Murphy III is averaging over 20 points, six rebounds and 3.5 assists per game for the Pelicans while shooting 38.4 percent from long range. He’d give the Pistons another floor spacer and would potentially be the consistent 20ppg scorer behind Cade Cunningham that the Pistons have lacked since he was drafted.
He’s a legit shooter and would be even better with Cunningham getting him better looks. This is a guy who is just a tick off the 50/40/90 club this season, so he would make an impact on the offensive end and help the Pistons in the half-court.
Lowe thinks it’s a no-brainer for the Pistons but also mentioned the Pels would likely try to pry away Ausar Thompson or Isaiah Stewart instead of Ivey, which is not happening. Thompson may be outright better than TMIII soon (which Lowe mentioned), and Stewart is the heart of the defense.
Even with Ivey in the deal instead, it’s still not a no brainer.
How much do the Pistons value Tobias Harris and Jaden Ivey?
As we all know, Tobias Harris and Jaden Ivey are both on expiring contracts, so it does make some sense that the Pistons would try to cash in if they don’t envision them as part of the long-term plans.
I have my doubts this would even be enough to tempt the Pelicans unless Troy Weaver is still in love with Jaden Ivey, as the Pels have no motivation to tank, and TMIII is on a fairly cheap deal by today’s standards.
But let’s assume the Pels would do it, what about the Pistons?
Detroit could balk at the idea of three first-round picks, but let’s remember that these aren’t likely to be great picks, and TMIII is locked up to a deal that pays him $27-31 million over the next three seasons after this one, so he’s not a rental. This would be a guy who would be a long-term piece with the rest of the core.
We know the Pistons value Harris’ leadership and experience, but he has been hurt and out of the lineup twice this season and the Pistons are 12-1 without him, so it’s hard to argue they need Tobias Harris.
I tend to think that could change in the playoffs when things slow down, and you occasionally need a guy other than Cade you can throw the ball to and get a bucket. Harris has been that guy a lot of the time, and I do think they value that with such a young team.
TMIII is not much of a creator or a guy you can throw the ball to and ask to get a bucket in isolation, so even though he’d be a shooting upgrade, Harris is better in the mid-range and post and can defend bigger guys.
And there’s always the chance that Jaden Ivey is better than TMIII at some point and may be doing it on an even cheaper deal.
My point is that there are a lot of things to consider, especially when the Pistons would be giving up a lot of draft capital.
Luckily, Trajan Langdon is uniquely positioned to make this decision, as he was part of the front office that drafted Murphy III and has a good gauge of how much would be too much.