As the deadline approaches, a number of trade speculations concerning the Detroit Pistons have surfaced, but no action has been taken.
The Pistons are hovering around the postseason picture, with Cade Cunningham performing at an All-Star level, which may lead them to be more active at the deadline, especially after Jaden Ivey’s injury, which could sideline him for the season.
Last night’s loss to Indiana was the first time Ivey’s absence was truly felt, and it’s evident the Pistons could use another scoring option who doesn’t need on Cade to continuously set him up.
Bleacher Report recently offered a “realistic” trade target for the Pistons who might serve as a short-term replacement for Ivey while also providing much-needed scoring and guard depth for the coming season.
According to B/R, the Detroit Pistons are considering trading for Collin Sexton, who averages 18 points per game and might fill the void left by Ivey.
Sexton isn’t as excellent a playmaker as Ivey, but he can create his own shots and is a stronger 3-point shooter, converting 42 percent of his overall tries and 44 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s.
He’s not a true point guard, but he might take over some ballhandling duties with Cunningham on the bench, just as Ivey did.
He’s also on a reasonable contract that pays him $18.3 million this season and 19.1 million the following season, so the Pistons would have no long-term obligations, and his number would go off the books at the same time as Tobias Harris’, giving the Pistons two significant expiring deals to utilize in a potential trade.
When Ivey returns, whether this year or next, the Pistons will have more depth and scoring options surrounding Cade Cunningham, regardless of who starts.
The disadvantage of trading for Collin Sexton.
There are two obvious red flags with Sexton. The
The first is that he isn’t particularly big, and the Pistons already have three small guards. The second factor is cost, as Danny Ainge will demand a premium for Sexton, and he is not one to lose transactions frequently. My belief is that a first-round pick would be required, else Sexton would have been sold by now, since there are plenty of teams willing to trade second-round picks for him given his age, production, and contract.
The Pistons could theoretically send Utah a deal centered on Sasser and a first-round pick, but there are legitimate concerns about whether a shoot-first guard who isn’t a terrific defender (Sexton) is worth the investment.
Could the Pistons potentially Send them numerous seconds instead. Could he be wrapped into a larger trade involving John Collins or Walker Kessler? There are things to consider, but buyer beware when dealing with the Jazz. Sexton is an intriguing name to watch, and he would fit some immediate requirements, but the cost could be prohibitive, so the Pistons should look into other choices.
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