NBA Rumors: Detroit Pistons unlikely to trade into first round

Dec 13, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons small forward Josh Smith (6) celebrates with teammates center Andre Drummond (0) point guard Brandon Jennings (7) and power forward Greg Monroe (10) during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Nets 103-99. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons small forward Josh Smith (6) celebrates with teammates center Andre Drummond (0) point guard Brandon Jennings (7) and power forward Greg Monroe (10) during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Nets 103-99. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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When the Cleveland Cavaliers landed the number-one overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Draft Lottery last month, several teams felt the impact.

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Each and every team ahead of tam moved back a spot, which could keep teams from landing the prospect they desire like the Philadelphia 76ers and former Kansas Jayhawks’ forward Andrew Wiggins and the Orlando Magic and Australian point guard Dante Exum. With Wiggins’ Kansas teammate, center Joel Embiid, undergoing surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot, it’s created even more of an problem.

However, no team felt a string like the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons owed the Charlotte Hornets a top-eight protected pick from the Ben Gordon-Corey Maggette swap. The Pistons finished with the league’s eighth-worst record so when the Cavaliers unexpectedly moved up, the Pistons lost their pick.

Teams like the Magic, 76ers and Utah Jazz are trying to pull of trades to make up for their slide, but that is not something the Pistons plan on doing.

According to Keith Langlois of Pistons.com, Van Gundy says the Pistons are “unlikely” to trade into the first round.

The Pistons have talent on their roster, they just have to figure out how it will mesh. Their first big decision will come a few days after the draft when big man Greg Monroe becomes a restricted free agent.