These sources come to us courtesy of Jonathan Wasserman’s latest draft for Bleacher Report:
However, sources indicate that the Pistons have also made it known that they are willing to trade the No. 7. Their best shot in a deal might be with a team willing to give up on an established player, rookie, or sophomore with untapped potential. But it would also be worth talking to the Warriors.
Wasserman also teased Onyeka Okongwu at the Pistons with the No. 7, in case you were wondering.
To me, at least, this smells like a swap further down the lottery. We talked about the Detroit Bad Boys about the possible Detroit Pistons swap, in partnership with the Boston Celtics, who have three first-round choices and no wishes (or development time available) for three other young players on their roster. Maybe this is it. Perhaps they will extract something small from the Knicks to trade choices, freeing the Knicks to get the point guard of their choice.
A swap, on the other hand, forces the Pistons to add things to the swap pot, which I’m not sure they’re capable of doing. What can you add to choice no. 7 to enter the top two? Luke Kennard? Blake Griffin? Sekou Doumbouya? Are any of those guys worth another team (namely, the Golden State Warriors) to move up five places? Personally I don’t think so.
On lottery night, Troy Weaver mentioned how he thought that, in this draft, the same player quality was available between number 3 and number 13. By operating with that mindset, the Pistons could go all the way up to number 13 in any trade. down and add resources for the privilege. With where the pistons are in their restoration, it’s a good idea to grab as many apple bites as possible:
Another interesting question is who Troy Weaver has in mind who might get into an exchange. Trading in teens is in Patrick Williams’ range, based on Wasserman’s mock draft and other mock drafts we’ve seen this offseason, and Williams struck me as the kind of person / player mix that Weaver has expressed a desire for. Kira Lewis may be an easier sale in teens than where the Pistons are currently placed. Isaac Okoro – another guy in Troy Weaver’s Nexus Persona / Player – slipped from the top of the lottery until later in the lottery in this pre-draft process. Heck, I’ve seen my favorite player in this year’s draft, Killian Hayes, make it to number 14 in some mock draft.
This extended pre-writing period was exhausting, but getting the whirlwind of rumors got me a little more excited for the next 60ish days. At least we finally have a date for the 2020 NBA Draft:
ESPN Sources: The NBA crashed on November 18 for the 2020 Draft. The date had been tentative.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 16, 2020
