Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor and ‘Hoops Tonight’ host Jason Timpf discuss the potential trade targets we could see the Detroit Pistons looking to add ahead of the trade deadline. Check out the full conversation on “The Kevin O’Connor Show” and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
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Video Transcript
I think Detroit has this incredibly strong physical foundation that bodes really well.
Well for them, looking forward as a playoff team, they drag you into the mud.
And they keep every game close.
So that’s why I’ve been so keyed in.
On, like, a Michael Porter Jr. For them or something that’s a scoring, Shooting upgrade at the four spot, essentially a better Tobias Harris.
Because there’s a lot that they do that translates well to the modern NBA.
Postseason, so I think they’re worth an investment on that level.
Ultimately, I think they need a four for the big picture alongside Cade.
So, I think they’re my favorite, Michael Porter Jr.
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Team by far.
There are a lot of teams that I think Mike, but they’re my favorite team ’cause I think it makes the league more interesting if The Pistons have that level of upside.
They have very tradable salaries as well.
They have Ivy at $10 million, expiring as a restricted guy.
Harris at $27 million expiring, LeVert with 2 years, $14 million annually left.
They have young guys, Ausar Thompson.
If they really wanted to put him out there.
Ivy, Holland, Chaz Lanier, Marcus Sasser, Bobby Clinton.
There are options, and they have all of their future picks.
So they could do four firsts and three swaps.
They can put stuff on the table picks left over.
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I have five trade targets that I think Detroit should be angling for, Jason.
I also have Michael Porter Jr. On there as well.
Trey Murphy, I’d also put on the list.
He’d probably be great, a bit more pricey.
He’d be awesome for them in that 4 spot.
Jaren Jackson Jr. Out of Memphis, if the Grizzlies traded Ja and then wanted to also move Jaren Jackson Jr. Have him as a four, ultimate lineup flexibility, maybe even flirt with 3 bigs.
Triple J, Isaiah Stewart… Jalen Duren.
Imagine that team on defense, with all that size.
Ayo Dosunmu is a cheaper option from the Bulls.
You know, Slasher, he’s become a 40% guy from three this year.
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A versatile defender.
And then Klay Thompson, Quietly having a bounce-back year.
He’s hooping right now.
For the Mavericks.
Yeah, he’s been playing great.
And so you see Duncan Robinson, the way the Pistons use him.
Off-ball, off-screens, as a screener, and on-ball as well.
Klay could do all those things.
They should go out and make a move.
They should be aggressive.
It’s open, Jason.
You’ve got to go for it, and Detroit is in a position with all their assets and salaries, it is literally the perfect storm for making a big acquisition.
And they have to go for it.