Pistons coach/executive Stan Van Gundy took the unusual step of assuring point guard Reggie Jackson that there’s no substance behind a rumored deal to Minnesota in exchange for Ricky Rubio, relays Rod Beard of The Detroit News.
Van Gundy said trade rumors are a normal part of NBA life this time of year and he typically doesn’t address them with players. However, Jackson’s agent called GM Jeff Bower after hearing the Rubio rumor, so Van Gundy felt the need to put Jackson’s mind at ease.
Van Gundy admits that it’s possible the Wolves called to see if there was any interest in a Jackson-for-Rubio swap, but says the fact that it didn’t happen means the Pistons didn’t like the deal. He adds that he never hears about most of the proposed trades Bower discusses.
“To be honest, I don’t know if the discussion was had, because Jeff only brings to me the stuff that we would consider. There’s so many of these discussions that he’s not even going to bring to me [smaller stuff],” Van Gundy said. “He doesn’t do that with me. He brings me the stuff, like when we got close to Reggie two years ago or Marcus [Morris] when we traded for him or Tobias [Harris]. That stuff comes to me.
“I don’t even know if that discussion took place — I’m just saying it’s very possible because we’ve had calls on Reggie; we’ve had calls on Andre [Drummond]. People are interested in those guys. If you’re not getting any calls on your guys — wow.”
Jackson has been rumored to be on the trade market because the Pistons has been less effective since he returned from tendinitis in his left knee that cost him the first 21 games of the season. His scoring and assist numbers are down from last year, and Detroit’s defense has been worse with him in the lineup. Jackson has three seasons and more than $51MM left on his contract.
Ya, that rumor didn’t make much sense unless the Pistons were getting Dunn and Shabazz back with Rubio, and that would make very little sense for the wolves, in terms of moving Dunn. Makes more sense for them to go after Butler, at that point, which I also wouldn’t do for what it would and should cost them. And even in that scenario, the fit for Detroit wouldn’t be very good b/c of their shooting issues, and hope to make the playoffs this season, plus Shabazz being a RFA in the offseason, although the obvious key to that deal would have been Dunn…so ya. Dumb rumor lol
Trading Jackson for Rubio would be a bad trade in terms of value for SVG