RealGM

I know we already have a "Draft" thread, but that is more about who we should draft with #18. This thread is more specifically about trading it.

We obviously already traded it once to get DMo, and then got it back when it was rescinded. So it is certainly within Bowers/SVG's consideration that a solid rotation player would be worth our pick. So it wouldn't surprise me we do make a trade.

Can we get a backup PF or PG with our pick? I think so. I also think we have enough youth - a few more solid vets might be more valuable to us then an end of the bench rookie, who at #18, is a crap shoot anyway.

Thoughts?

I like the idea of trading it now better than with the DMo trade, eventhough I wish Motiejunas was healthy and that trade would have happened. But trading the pick now ie at the draft, allows us to interview, wine and dine the players and get a read on them and leave an impression with them that could bear fruit down the line and just adds to our organizational intel on each player for potential trades or signings down the line.

I'd look to trade it only if we could piggyback out a Meeks as part of the deal. We have two holes on this team - back-up PG and PF/Ce type. If we can trade Meeks and our first for one of them, taking on maybe a couple million against our cap say Meeks and first for Taj Gibson and Bulls 2nd, then it would leave us with 10-12M to spend solely on our PG hunt. I don't think we get a rotation player out of the 18th spot - I assume we draft and redshirt a PF/Ce here with the idea to have him ready in a years time when Baynes walks. But that player won't get much/any PT in the upcoming season, leaving us to have to fill PF and PG with 12M, and with the cap rocketing it more likely means all that money to one position and vets minimum to the other.

I would have to see some names that make sense to do it. I'm not willing to trade a 20 year old on a rookie contract who's under team control for the next 8-9 years for Expiring contracts like Taj Gibson. Now if we can find a backup in their mid 20s who have shown they could produce like Cory Joseph or something then sure. I can't really think of any players like that that would be available though.

Last years draft was much deeper and better and the player that got traded in that range was Hardaway and he sucks. So that kinda shows the type of value you could expect.

I'm not opposed to it in principle. If SVG et. al. think the right deal is there, I'm good.

MotownMadness wrote:I would have to see some names that make sense to do it. I'm not willing to trade a 20 year old on a rookie contract who's under team control for the next 8-9 years for Expiring contracts like Taj Gibson. Now if we can find a backup in their mid 20s who have shown they could produce like Cory Joseph or something then sure. I can't really think of any players like that that would be available though.

Last years draft was much deeper and better and the player that got traded in that range was Hardaway and he sucks. So that kinda shows the type of value you could expect.

I'm of the same mindset. I'm not prepared to say "this draft sucks, trade it for anyone" but you are right, the equivalent of this pick was traded for THJR last year. I am curious of the quality of the draft might be offset by the cost control in what's expected to be a crazy summer.

The Penguin wrote:

MotownMadness wrote:I would have to see some names that make sense to do it. I'm not willing to trade a 20 year old on a rookie contract who's under team control for the next 8-9 years for Expiring contracts like Taj Gibson. Now if we can find a backup in their mid 20s who have shown they could produce like Cory Joseph or something then sure. I can't really think of any players like that that would be available though.

Last years draft was much deeper and better and the player that got traded in that range was Hardaway and he sucks. So that kinda shows the type of value you could expect.

I am curious of the quality of the draft might be offset by the cost control in what's expected to be a crazy summer.

This was sort of my thinking. We did so well on the Tobias trade without even giving up a first, I wonder if we could do something similar? Someone with a 2-3 years left on their contract, and a legit role player/possible starter in a pinch. Even though Houston is probably pissed at us, they are certainly going to blow it up. Lakers have a lot of "team" turmoil. Sacramento is possible to blow things up as well. All these teams could use some more picks.

The Penguin wrote:

MotownMadness wrote:I would have to see some names that make sense to do it. I'm not willing to trade a 20 year old on a rookie contract who's under team control for the next 8-9 years for Expiring contracts like Taj Gibson. Now if we can find a backup in their mid 20s who have shown they could produce like Cory Joseph or something then sure. I can't really think of any players like that that would be available though.

Last years draft was much deeper and better and the player that got traded in that range was Hardaway and he sucks. So that kinda shows the type of value you could expect.

I'm of the same mindset. I'm not prepared to say "this draft sucks, trade it for anyone" but you are right, the equivalent of this pick was traded for THJR last year. I am curious of the quality of the draft might be offset by the cost control in what's expected to be a crazy summer.

Agreed on both accounts. I don't think this offseason will be a buyer's market for trades. With the cap going up and just about every team having a bunch of cap space and very little to spend it on nobody is going to be too interested in shedding contracts. To get a quality upgrade in the rotation the Pistons might have to add more assets to a deal than just the 18th pick and I doubt they would do so.

Assuming they want to trade for a veteran Detroit is probably be better off waiting until the 18th pick is on the clock. The prospect pool in that range actually isn't that bad so it's possible some team might really like a certain player and would make a move to go up and get him. Otherwise the Pistons will probably keep the pick, spend their ~$19 million on two low/mid tier free agents (PG and PF), and practically be done with the offseason.