The Pistons had originally planned to approach this season’s trade deadline by aggressively pursuing upgrades on the wing, writes Jake Fischer of SI.com. League sources tell Fischer that Detroit looked into several potential trade candidates around the NBA, including Danny Green, Jordan Clarkson, Tyreke Evans, Rodney Hood, and Courtney Lee. The Magic also called to discuss a deal that would have included Evan Fournier, Elfrid Payton, and Luke Kennard, per Fischer.
As a result of all that research and legwork on wing players, the Pistons came to a realization that prompted them to change direction. “It’s becoming a wing league, and not many teams are willing to move those players,” a Pistons source told Fischer. “We were willing to give up ours.”
Rather than looking to build up on their own wing depth, the Pistons decided to part with Avery Bradley and Tobias Harris in a deal that would bolster their frontcourt instead. It remains to be seen whether that approach will pay off, but the team will start to find out tonight, with Blake Griffin set to make his Pistons debut. “It’s time to make a run now,” one team source told Fischer, who notes that seven of Detroit’s eight remaining games before the All-Star break are at home.
Here’s more on the Pistons from Fischer:
- The Pistons, who explored trading for Eric Bledsoe last summer, circled back to him in November and came “within inches” of acquiring him in a three-way deal with the Suns and Pelicans, according to Fischer. That trade, which would have included Reggie Jackson, fell through.
- The Pistons will continue to keep an eye out for opportunities to acquire wing players, and Fischer hints that Stanley Johnson is more likely than Kennard to be included in such a deal.
- Detroit’s front office worked with Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank and GM Michael Winger on the Griffin deal. Head coach Doc Rivers, who served as the Clippers’ head of basketball operations until this past offseason, didn’t find out about the deal until Sunday — by that point, every detail except the first-round pick protections had already been agreed upon, a league source tells Fischer.
- If the Pistons had been unable to finalize a deal for Griffin, they were planning to shift their focus to Kevin Love, says Fischer. Obviously, that was before Love suffered his hand injury, though there’s no indication that the Cavaliers would have seriously considered moving him.
Johnson to the Lakers for Clarkson
Salaries don’t match…
In the Pistons win over Cleveland SJ had his most impressive game, will SVG be able to blend him into the new look front court smoothly? thats my question. I hope so, not much to smile about in Stan’s nearly 4 years of trying to get it right.
Which Stan? Stanley Johnson or Stan Van? Pretty sure he just added a second star to the roster. But, that really didn’t help the Pels much by having two premier bigs. The only thing working in the Pistons favor is there’s a few shooters left on there roster where the Pelicans traded all there shooters to get Boogie
Sorry, SVG’ 4 Years.
Not a bad deal, but the salaries don’t match. The pistons would have to give up other players, and I don’t think Clarkson is worth anything else.
Lonzo Ball is a God.
your stupid.. lonzo ball is a God? he’s decent but he’s not great!
Hard to consider Lonzo a god since his father is Satan
Lavar, is that you in disguise??
That deal with Love would look pretty good right now. Detroit has some other interesting wings to throw at GSW also. Love would not be thrilled as he is a west-coaster and front-runner though. Pistons and Cavs were doing a lot a talking earlier in the year, supposedly, about Drummond.