Detroit Pistons
Sending out: Andre Drummond (CHA)
Bringing in: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (CHA), Courtney Lee (DAL), Alec Burks (GSW), 2020 first-round pick (SAS)
The Pistons had high hopes for the pairing of Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin but the wheels are clearly and indelibly off. Griffin has two more years on his deal, assuming he picks up his player option, but he’s out for the season after surgery and there’s no reason to think that a sudden burst of health and effectiveness is coming. Drummond has a player option for next season and it’s probably time to flip him and make sure they recoup as much value as possible.
Here they send out Drummond returning a bunch of expiring contracts and what’s likely to be a lottery pick from the Spurs this season. There’s a good chance that picks falls at the end of the lottery but could, theoretically, be packaged with their own pick to move up towards the top of the draft. That return might be not ideal but Drummond is a unique player and the uniqueness depresses his value to some degree. Lee and Burks aren’t keepers but Kidd-Gilchrist might have value as a defender and transition lane-filler if he can be coaxed back at a lower salary.