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NBA rumors: Which team could be for sale this year?

By Colton Lowe

Apr 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) drives to the basket past New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee (5) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) drives to the basket past New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee (5) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 27, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy argues a call during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy argues a call during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons last sold in 2011 for $325 million to businessman, Tom Gore. In fact, at the time of the deal, it was widely considered that Gore got a steal on the price.  A poor local economy and poor team performance were factors in Gore pulling off such a sweet deal.

Fast forward five years later, and the team is now valued at $900 million. Gore has a knack for buying low and selling high, and the iron might be hot enough to strike now.

The Pistons have a bit of branding issue though. According to a report from last year, the Pistons attendance had dropped over 30 percent over the last ten years. That was actually the largest decline of any franchise among the four majors sports leagues in that time span. Attendance numbers were slightly up this past season, but they had been averaging below 15,000 people a game the last five years. The only other teams to have averages that low (Bucks, Kings Hawks) have all been sold in the last four years. The Pistons could be next.

After a disappointing end to the 2016-17 season, there is still some hope for the Pistons going into next year. Reggie Jackson had a season ending injury, but a solid core of young players like Andre Drummond, Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and a head coach like Stan Van Gundy, could give the team something to build off of. A new owner could be just what the Pistons need.

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