If the asset-strapped Pistons are going to make a splash at the NBA trade deadline they’ll have to get creative. As The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III writes, Detroit would presumably need to unload some sizable contracts if they brought back a significant package and the players currently making big money on their roster – outside of Blake Griffin – aren’t particularly desirable.
Edwards writes that Pistons senior adviser Ed Stefanski isn’t eager to give up a future first-round pick simply to alleviate the cap burden of its weighty contracts (Reggie Jackson‘s $17MM, Jon Leuer‘s $10MM, for example) but those picks could be in play if a solid star comes along. Edwards includes Bradley Beal as a hypothetical possibility that might warrant such a return.
The Pistons have some players that could be considered modest assets ahead of the deadline, including sophomore Luke Kennard and fourth-year forward Stanley Johnson. Ish Smith and Reggie Bullock, similarly, could draw interest from contending teams looking to shore up their rotations with veteran depth.
There’s more from Detroit:
- While there are plenty of scenarios that could hypothetically jump-start a Pistons rebuild, Keith Langlois of the team’s official website writes in a weekly mailbag that he’d wager the team stands pat at the deadline. The club may look to shore up its second-unit but lack draft assets to offer in trades.
- Scrappy first-year guard Bruce Brown has struggled to showcase his elite defensive skills lately, something head coach Dwane Casey‘s believes could be attributable to a famous foe in the basketball world. “I don’t know if it’s a rookie wall or whatever, but just the concentration, the attention to detail,” Casey told Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. “Those are mental things that young fellows usually make when they’re mentally fatigued a little bit.“
- In the same blog post, Langlois writes that Reggie Bullock practiced on Wednesday. The 27-year-old sharpshooter and potential trade chip missed Tuesday’s game with a sprained ankle that has plagued him and and off throughout the season. His status is uncertain for Thursday.
Man are we screwed. Thanks Stan!
I agree. I also feel as if they sit pat there throwing in the towel or possibly tanking to get a higher draft pick.
Detroit needs a miracle. One of two things needs to happen they need to put together a package of Reggie and Reggie or Stanley or a package of Dre and Reggie or Stanley. The next would be by some miracle they can package both Reggie and Dre together. I just don’t feel like Reggie, Dre and Blake will ever gel and those three make up a considerable amount of the cap.
Make a splash? Get Creative? Or, just draft better.
All of the above?
New name diller79? And I agree with you
Bullock probably enjoys being a big guard but he should consider being a skinny one. Ankles that don’t go away likely stay that way. He’s playing mostly SF now per Bas-Ref but he’s not a rebounder.
Jackson & Calderon; Bullock, Kennard, Johnson, Robinson, Galloway, now Brown?– so many letdowns at the 1, 2 & 3. Somebody on this site even picked them at good long odds for the EC title.
They’d better keep Ish Smith & his apparent immunity. I think Casey just announced Khyri Thomas, who should have come out early so the Cavs or Celtics could take him, will be the new rookie with minutes.
all these teams want to trade their spare scraps for a key player.. SMH
Just like Boston, right?
SVG destroyed this team. He should never be allowed anywhere near the state of Michigan ever again.
Pistons need to realize scrapping to get a 8 seed accomplishes nothing. They are not even close to being a championship caliber team and wouldn’t get out of the first round. So, it’s time to cut bait. I’d be up for trading anyone on the roster not named Kyrie Thomas and Bruce Brown. Drummond and Griffin would be on the block for the right return. Time to get rid of the expensive contracts and build a foundation for the future
SVG is an idiot. He had one team with hit 3pt shooting in Orlando and his brother’s name. Casey will right the ship. They need Danny Ferry for GM.
Pistons need to move on from Reggie Jackson. If possible, move both Leuer and Galloway (contracts). Ellenson should either be moved, packaged, or at least left in GR to get some playing time. Calderon can bet cut or moved, too.