In the lead up to the Feb. 8 trade deadline, we’re taking all 30 teams and finding mutually beneficial partners. Every day will offer up a new deal with two new consorts. It’s kinda like the 12 days of Christmas, but instead of hens-a-laying and pear trees and other useless nonsense from your true love, you’re getting fake trades from me for a much higher holy day: the NBA trade deadline. Strap in tight, it’s trading season!
In the wake of the Blake Griffin trade, we covered another potential move for the Clippers yesterday. Today, we’re looking at the other side of it. The Detroit Pistons pushed their chips to the middle of the table with their aggressive deal for the former L.A. star. They’ve made their intentions clear: 2018 is playoffs or bust in Motown.
San Antonio is one of the best-run organizations in all of sports. They’ve built an ecosystem around loyalty, intelligence, and shrewd decision making. In-season trades are a rarity for them, but they know to strike when the opportunity presents itself.
Why the Pistons do it:
Detroit’s never been a team in favor of tanking. While other teams openly embraced nosediving for lottery balls, Detroit chased the empty calorie bottom playoff spots with mediocre roster construction. Since 2015, they’ve handed out a combined 14 years and $247 million to Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, and Jon Leuer. Their play for Blake Griffin only reinforces that core principle of going all-in and worrying about the consequences later.
Stan Van Gundy’s seat warms by the day so he’ll do everything in his power to get into the playoffs this season. He needs guys who can help now. Danny Green’s numbers have been sliding for the past couple years, but he’s still a veteran with championship experience shooting 35.5 percent from 3-point range.
Why the Spurs do it:
San Antonio’s been infatuated with Stanley Johnson for quite some time. Now in his third season, he hasn’t totally proven why he was selected eighth overall in 2015…but the flashes are there. The biggest detraction to Johnson’s game is his shooting.
In addition to bringing the best out of players, the Spurs have a long history of fixing the jumpers of guys who can’t shoot. Johnson certainly qualifies with his 36 percent field goal percentage. Once put under the tutelage of the shot doctor, Chip Engelland, Johnson would be molded in San Antonio’s alchemy laboratory. Undoubtedly by next season, he’d have a reliable 3-point stroke to go along with his high athleticism and stout defense.
Next: Around the NBA in 15 trades: Day 10, Bucks and Clippers
Parting with a long-time Spur like Green would be tough. However, he low-key hasn’t had a great year since 2014-15. His Box Plus-Minus is the lowest it’s been since his second season in the league and he turns 31 this summer — two facts I’m sure aren’t lost on the front office.