NBA Trade Deadline 2019: One trade every team should make

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 17: Center Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket against Center JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at the Amway Center on November 17, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Lakers 130 to 117. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 25: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics looks on after being defeated by the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Six of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

If we’re evaluating these fake trades objectively, this is a more solid trade for the Celtics. Jose Calderon gives them another playmaker they can give rotation minutes behind Irving, and they get a center in Pachulia. Even more importantly with Zaza, they keep him away from any other playoff contender, diminishing the likelihood of him making an impact against them in a series.

For the Pistons, getting Rozier gives them a chance to find a point guard to play alongside Blake Griffin. The Reggie Jackson experiment didn’t go quite as well as they had hoped, with the former Boston College guard failing to live up to the contract he signed with them after being acquired in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pistons don’t need a traditional playmaking point guard with Griffin able to create so much offense on his own, but Rozier could thrive as a secondary playmaker alongside Luke Kennard in the backcourt. Moving Jackson to the bench for his final season in Detroit will probably upset him, but he’ll be in the final year of his contract next season, and perhaps the Pistons could find a team that is willing to bring him on for a season.

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