With the new year now finally upon us, speculation ahead of the 2020 NBA Trade Deadline is in full swing. Whether Detroit Pistons fans are in consensus about what the team ought to do before the Feb. 6, 2020 cut off or not, anticipation mounts across all fanbases that there will be fireworks.
In this post, just one of a series of 30, we’ll break down the reports that have started to trickle out about Pistons players that may or may not be on the move. While there’s no guarantee when it comes to a league as wild as the modern NBA, it doesn’t hurt to brush up on each squad’s roster as the deadline draws near.
Players Unlikely To Be Traded
- Blake Griffin
- Sekou Doumbouya
Which players on the Pistons are truly untouchable? Probably none of them, though deals for Blake Griffin and Sekou Doumbouya are hard to envision for different reasons.
Griffin is out for the season with a knee ailment and dealing for someone with his $34.5M salary would be tricky given the uncertainty. Doumbouya, the team’s lottery pick from last year’s draft, is highly regarded in the organization and getting them to part with their top prospect would likely cost more than any rival club is willing to offer.
Biggest Name Available On Market
- Derrick Rose
- Luke Kennard
Derrick Rose doesn’t want to be traded, though that won’t stop teams from trying to pursue him. He’s on a reasonable $7.3M salary and teams like the Sixers and Lakers, both of which have an interest in him, could easily construct a deal for the point guard.
Barring a setback, Luke Kennard appears to be on his way to the Suns. Detroit is reportedly close to getting a first-rounder in exchange for the former No. 12 overall pick.
Logical Trade Pieces
- Andre Drummond
The team has listened to offers for Drummond and they’d be wise to seriously parse the market between now and the trade deadline. Drummond is expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer and he’ll be one of the more desirable options on the market. The Hawks were previously engaged with the team regarding the big man.
Trades Are Possible
- Reggie Jackson
- Tony Snell
- Langston Galloway
- Thon Maker
- Markieff Morris
- Christain Wood
- Tim Frazier
- Bruce Brown Jr.
- Khyri Thomas
- Sviatoslav Mykhaililuk
Reggie Jackson recently returned to the court and results have been mixed. He’ll be a free agent after the season. 🏀 Tony Snell joined the Pistons via an offseason trade with the Bucks. He has a player option on his deal for next season. 🏀 Langston Galloway is in the last year of his contract. He’s making 39.8% of his treys, which could intrigue a playoff contender. 🏀 Thon Maker has appeared in 46 games for the Pistons this season, seeing just 11.5 points per game. He’ll be 23 later this month. 🏀 Markieff Morris is enjoying his time in Detroit. It’s possible that the team deals the veteran, though with him under contract (player option for next season) the urgency might not be there unless the Pistons feel he will bounce in free agency. 🏀 Christian Wood has stepped up lately. The big man would likely fetch an asset given his low salary and ability to produce should the team look to trade him. 🏀 Tim Frazier helped to hold down the fort until Jackson returned. He’s on a veteran minimum deal. 🏀 Bruce Brown Jr. could be part of the future in Detroit, though he isn’t near untouchable. 🏀 Khyri Thomas’ deal for next season is non-guaranteed and it will be interesting to see which way Detroit leans. He played in just two games for the club this year before a foot injury sidelined him. 🏀 Another young former Laker sprouting outside of Los Angeles? Sviatoslav Mykhaililuk, who came to Detroit in a mid-season trade last year with Rob Pelinka’s club, is showcasing his ability as a wing scorer for the Pistons.
