Maybe having the No. 5 pick won’t end up being so bad after all.
The Detroit Pistons, who had the worst record in franchise history and in the NBA last season, got played by Lady Luck at last month’s lottery and fell as far back as possible. However, in a draft like this one, where there is no clear-cut elite prospect, having the No. 5 pick could have its benefits, primarily in the financial department, as the rookie-scale contract for a No. 5 pick, obviously, is less than that of a top-three pick. And if teams feel that the best player in the 2024 NBA Draft could be had at No. 5, that puts Detroit in a good position to capitalize.
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So far, there have been reports that the Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies all have interest in potentially moving into the top five of this month’s draft. Under new president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon, the Pistons could entertain all three of these teams — assuming the reports are true — and not only still have a first-round pick this year, but also add proven talent in the process.
It’s possible that Langdon and the Pistons will want to stay at No. 5 and add another prospect to its already-young core. But when you’re taking over a team that just won 14 games, you have to consider every option available.
Let’s take a look at what trades might look like involving Detroit and the three aforementioned teams to see if it could be worthwhile for the Motor City squad.
Chicago Bulls
Bulls receive: No. 5 pick
Pistons receive: No. 11 pick in 2024 NBA Draft, 2027 first (top-four protected)
If you were hoping Detroit used the No. 5 pick to immediately improve, then this deal might not be for you. On the flip side, if you were hoping previous general manager Troy Weaver tried to acquire more future draft capital, then this is for you.
Here, the Pistons still get a lottery pick in this year’s draft and another first-round pick in the future that can be either used via trade down the line or to make a selection. In this scenario, I’d have Detroit using the No. 11 pick in the 2024 draft to walk away with Colorado’s Cody Williams, G League Ignite’s Ron Holland or France’s Tidjane Salaün — all of whom easily could go in the top seven and no one would bat an eye.
For as much as the Pistons need to improve on the court, they also need to add to their asset cupboard. This scenario gives them an extra first-round pick to dangle in future trades and still leaves them with a league-leading $65 million in cap space to improve the roster immediately.
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Portland Trail Blazers
Trail Blazers receive: No. 5 pick
Pistons receive: No. 14 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Jerami Grant and Matisse Thybulle
I certainly think Portland would entertain No. 5 for No. 14 and Grant, but if I ask nice enough and share some logic, I think I’d be able to pry away Thybulle, too.
In this scenario, the rebuilding Blazers would have two top-seven picks in the 2024 draft and also shed roughly $40 million in owed salary next season, giving the 21-win team some financial flexibility.
Why would Detroit do this? It would have a more-than-solid wing rotation in Grant, Thybulle, Ausar Thompson, Quentin Grimes and Simone Fontecchio locked up for several seasons (assuming Fontecchio re-signs). This trade addresses the perimeter defensive concerns, as Grant is an above-average defender and Thybulle is a very good on-ball defender. Furthermore, Grant has shot better than 40 percent from 3 the last two seasons, while Thybulle has turned himself into a decent standstill shooter. Additionally, Detroit still would have a lottery pick in June’s draft.
Grant, who turned 30 in March, still has four years left on his contract after this one and will make between $29.7 million and $36.4 million annually over the course of those four years (remember, the cap also will continue to go up). I don’t think an average annual value in the low $30 million range is bad value for a wing who can defend, create a shot for himself off the dribble and shoot 40 percent from 3. I do worry about the last two years of his contract because of his age, but I think the next two years of Grant’s contract are solid value. I also don’t think any realistic free-agent target in this year’s unrestricted class is better than Grant. Thybulle, 27, will make $11 million this coming season and has a $11.5 million player option for the following season.
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After this trade, Detroit would have roughly $25 million in cap space left, which should be more than enough to make a real run at the Nic Claxtons or Malik Monks of the world if they so choose. Or, possibly, a combination of Gary Harris and Jonas Valančiūnas.
Memphis Grizzlies
Grizzlies receive: No. 5 pick
Pistons receive: No. 9 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and a top-four protected 2025 first-round pick
Similarly to the Bulls trade, this doesn’t do a ton to get the Pistons better immediately. But it does allow them potentially to get a good player in this draft, add another first-round pick in the 2025 class (which is projected to be stacked) and maintain their $65 million in cap space. The Grizzlies have aspirations to be among the best teams in the Western Conference next season, but you never know with injuries what could happen (see this past season for Memphis). A top-four protected pick in 2025 might end up being even better than it sounds right now.
I’d imagine that Memphis would entertain this deal if Connecticut center Donovan Clingan was available at No. 5. The frontcourt combination of him and Jaren Jackson Jr. could be dangerously fun on the defensive end as soon as next season. My gut tells me that if the Grizzlies were to move up, it would be specifically to target Clingan.
As for the Pistons, it’s very possible that the likes of Williams, Holland and Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht are available at pick No. 9, and Detroit believes it would get a top-five talent in the second half of the lottery. Conversely, it’s also possible that Detroit likes someone it can get at No. 5 far more than whoever could be there at No. 9 and, potentially, the 24th pick in next year’s class.
Langdon and his staff have a lot to consider, a lot of homework to do and phone calls to make.
It should be an interesting few weeks ahead.
(Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski / NBAE via Getty Images)
James L. Edwards III is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Detroit Pistons. Previously, he was a reporter for the Lansing State Journal, where he covered Michigan State and high school sports. Follow James L. on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII
