Shams Charania of ESPN reported last week that the Pistons were expected to be among the suitors for Mavericks big man Anthony Davis. However, league sources tell Hunter Patterson of The Athletic that Davis isn’t currently on Detroit’s radar, as the team is focused on “internal growth” rather than a major win-now acquisition.
As Patterson notes, president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon has publicly stated multiple times that the Pistons want to build patiently and continue developing their promising young core. Detroit improved to 21-5 on Monday after picking up a victory in Boston, and currently holds the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Langdon said a couple weeks ago that the front office would be “opportunistic” if the right trade opportunity presents itself, but the team didn’t plan to aggressively seek out upgrades. Patterson has heard similarly, writing that the Pistons are “content” with the current roster and aren’t contemplating any drastic shakeups.
Patterson acknowledges that stance could change in the weeks leading up to the February 5 deadline, but as of now, a marginal upgrade looks far more likely than a blockbuster deal.
If the Pistons do decide a major trade is necessary down the line, they would probably be better off making that type of move in the offseason, when Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey will be restricted free agents and Ausar Thompson and Isaiah Stewart will be up for extensions, Patterson notes. Acquiring a maximum-salary star like Davis would significantly impact the team’s financial flexibility moving forward, on top of the risk inherent in dealing for an oft-injured player who’s on the wrong side of 30.
Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press explained a few days ago why a Pistons trade for Davis was unlikely, reporting that the two teams hadn’t had any talks about the 32-year-old forward/center. Keith Langlois of Pistons.com was also dubious about the possibility of an in-season deal for the 10-time All-Star.
no smart gm is trying to win now with street clothes, he’s gonna end up on the bulls who are run horribly or Sacramento who are bulls west, those are basically the only 2 teams dumb enough to trade for him, well I mean now that Nico is a regional sales director for enterprise rent a car
I actually like this trade for one pick and a player. I think Anthony Davis puts Detroit over the top. He’s the perfect playstyle with Cade and the team will not need him to the playoffs. Davis was available for the 2 years in the playoffs before this last year. So I think if he ramps up in the spring. He would be a good get around February trade deadline if you only have to give up one pic. Plus he could play the power forward because they have Duran and Isaiah Stewart who would kind of be his muscle. The defense would be pretty hard to guard. And if you’ve been watching Dallas play when he plays, he’s actually pretty good still
Over the top of what? He’s still pretty good but where does he get them? No further than the second round. Next season with a chance to gel he might get to the ECF but they’re still an impact player away from the finals.
In this league salaries matter more than talent. Nothing is worse than a bloated contract and nothing better than a rising draft pick on a rookie scale contract.
Too expensive, too often injured, too old. We all understand is a business and somebody out there is trying to push for value for Davis, but dumb GM’s would sacrifice future needed budget and young players for a not so bright present in Davis.