The Pistons currently have the No. 12 overall pick in this year’s draft, but there’s no guarantee this year’s 12th overall pick will play in Detroit in the fall. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein (via Twitter), the Pistons are open to discussing trades involving their lottery pick in the hopes of acquiring a “win-now veteran.”
As we saw a year ago when the Hornets moved the No. 22 overall pick for Marco Belinelli, a team without cap room could agree to a pick-for-player trade in June and then complete the deal in July, after they’ve opened up the necessary space. That could be one option for the capped-out Pistons.
However, even without taking into account Aron Baynes‘ player option or a lucrative potential new contract for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Pistons already have about $95MM in guaranteed money on their books for 2017/18, so it’s unlikely that they’ll end up with any cap room even after the new league year begins.
That means that any deal involving the No. 12 pick and an established veteran would likely need to include at least one outgoing contract for salary-matching purposes. As such, it’s no surprise that Rod Beard of The Detroit News tweets the Pistons would likely be open to a “pick-plus-player option” to land that win-now veteran.
Stein’s report doesn’t specify any players – or even positions – the Pistons may be targeting as they discuss their lottery pick, but there are a few areas that could make sense. A frontcourt replacement for Baynes would be one possibility if the club expects to lose him in free agency. A guard would also be a logical target if Detroit has any concern about Reggie Jackson‘s ability to bounce back, or isn’t 100% sure that Caldwell-Pope will be retained.
Charlotte could maybe do something with Detroit like Marvin Williams and a 2nd for the 1st
Detroit could use some help at either guard spot or at the 3, preferably a shooter
Detroit could use help at literally every position, including center since Drummond can’t stay on the court in late game situations
They’re set at the 4
Courtney lee? Then the Knicks could get the guard they want and then Justin Jackson
Please take jahlil Okafor
Pistons are fools. What’s a vet going to do for them? Make them a higher seed that loses to Lebron? Cavs have the East locked up for the next 2 years and I’m saying this as a sixers fan. I’d take Okafor for the 12 in a heartbeat and take a crap contract in return. They get a 20/10 player who plays no defense and maybe the sixers package the 12 and some 2nd rounders or the kings future one pick and move way up.
Pistons want a vet to win now…win what?
Pistons need to build around Drummond… noone else is worth keeping …
Ship everyone. Start from scratch as there is no one worth keeping.
Will they be interested in Anthony
Marvin Williams?
Courtney Lee?
Come on. They’re not looking for 7th man, aging rotation pieces with all downside.
They need a guy like…throwing a name out there….Eric Bledsoe. Prime of his career, difference-maker. I don’t now how he’d fit with Jackson’s game but it’d be full of options. So the #12, Ish and Henry Ellenson would be a solid package for Bled.
I don’t really know why the Pistons wouldn’t add young talent instead of a veteran. The way they’re built, they’re nowhere close to win now mode.
Maybe Stan is in the wrong job. So far I have seen very little success so far. This sounds like desperation on his part.
SVG is good at blowing up teams. Just coach. Stop pretending to be a GM.