As every year, trade rumors around the Draft intensify as the ceremony approaches. A new one has just been added to the list, and directly concerns the Pistons first pick!
The Draft lottery is one of the most anticipated annual events in the league. On this occasion, some teams dream of a bright future, obtaining nice picks synonymous with potential future stars. This year, it is especially the Pistons, Rockets, Cavaliers and Raptors who can consider themselves lucky.
Holders of the first 4 choices of the 2021 Draft, they should a priori recover the prospects with the greatest potential, namely Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs and Jalen Green. However, their position remains fluctuating, as Jonathan Givony recently recalled fromESPN, with information as surprising as it is important.
According to sources, teams like Cleveland, Houston, New Orleans and Oklahoma City are among those trying to gauge what the necessary counterpart would be to get the No.1 pick, but these discussions are at an early stage, and a trade is not. should be acted on shortly before the Draft, if not at all.
Despite the last clarification provided by the journalist, it would seem that Detroit is not closing the door to an exchange of its first pick. A piece of news that is surprising, since the marriage between Cunningham and the Pistons seemed already recorded. Still, Givony says it wouldn’t all be so crystal clear within the franchise’s front office.
Everything suggests that Detroit is comfortable with keeping his pick and getting Cunningham back, but that the franchise will be active and explore the possibility of descending into the Draft via a trade to obtain additional assets. Mobley is one of the potential targets should something happen.
Given this last sentence, the applications of the Thunder, holder of the 6th pick, and the Pelicans, 10th in the board, seem almost futile. Mobley should indeed not fall to these positions. However, in view of the crazy developments surrounding the ceremony, no scenario is visibly to be eliminated.
Against all expectations, Detroit would be well and truly ready to part with its 2021 first pick. The contenders to recover this magnificent asset will not be long in coming forward.
